HC Deb 19 January 1993 vol 217 cc158-9W
Mr. David Porter

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the directives, regulations, statutory instruments and Acts of Parliament required to create the single market, distinguishing between(a) those which have been made effective to 31 December 1992 and (b) those which remain to be implemented; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Needham

[holding answer 18 January 1993]: Information about single market measures and their implementation in the United Kingdom is provided in the "Spearhead" computer database produced by my Department. The database is publicly available, and can by accessed by the Library.

Mr. David Porter

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimate he has made of the cost(a) directly to the Exchequer, (b) to local authorities and (c) to businesses of implementing all the directives, regulations, statutory instruments and Acts of Parliament to create the single market; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Needham

[holding answer 18 January 1993]: When both negotiating and subsequently implementing domestically all European Community measures, Departments do attempt to assess, and minimise unnecessary, costs to both public and private sector interests. Our objective throughout the single market programme has been to secure agreement on measures which will provide positive benefits to United Kingdom businesses and consumers.