§ Mr. CashTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps are being taken to ensure that public utilities in other EC countries actively encourage suppliers from the United Kingdom to participate in their contracts.
§ Mr. NeedhamUnder the Utilities Directive 90/531/ EEC contracting bodies are, in most cases, obliged to publish calls for competition in theOfficial Journal of the European Communities, through periodic notices of planned procurement, notices of qualification systems or specific contract notices. These notices can also be accessed on the tenders electronic daily database. Since I January 1993 contract notices have been published in the Official Journal by utilities in all the major member states and even some by utilities in Greece, Portugal and Spain who do not yet have to implement the directives.
My Department actively supports United Kingdom suppliers in EC markets and I have appointed an export promoter on loan from industry to focus specifically in this area. My Department is also mounting a campaign to bring public procurement opportunities in the Community to the attention of United Kingdom industry, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises.
Finally, I have just initiated a review to identify problems faced by United Kingdom businesses trying to sell to public purchasers in other EC member states, including those included within the scope of directive 90/531/EEC. My Department will ensure that everything possible is done to solve specific problems and will provide feedback to the EC Commission as necessary. This review is expected to be completed early next year and the results will be used in my Department's work supporting British exporters.