§ Mr. FatchettTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the initiatives taken on industrial policy by him during the United Kingdom's presidency of the EC; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HeseltineSince the beginning of the United Kingdom presidency, we have made further significant progress towards completion of the single market programme—the free trade principles of which will assist the development of business within the Community. The United Kingdom presidency has also achieved a key objective with the adoption by the Internal Market Council on 10 November of a resolution on "Making the Single Market Work". This resolution should help to ensure that single market legislation is implemented effectively and enforced evenly throughout the Community.
As well as taking forward work in hand in the Council of Ministers, the United Kingdom presidency has promoted two initiatives: on industrial competitiveness and evironmental protection and on administrative simplification. The former should ensure the proper integration of environmental and industrial policies at 516W Community level and the close involvement of industy in the development of policies designed to achieve the Community's environmental objectives. The latter should ensure that new legislation at Community level does not add unnecessary burdens to business.
The Industry Council which I shall be chairing on 24 November will have a substantial agenda covering many aspects of EC industrial policy, including draft resolutions on the initiatives referred to above.