Single Market Legislation

HC Deb 27 February 1996 vol 272 cc434-5W

Mr. Elletson

To ask the President of the Board of Trade to what extent each EU country has adopted single market legislation; and if he will make a statement. [16402]

Mr. Oppenheim

The following are the European Commission's figures of 8 November 1995 for the percentage of single market measures in the 1985 Commission White Paper on the single market which have been transposed into national law by member states of the European Union.

	Per cent.
Denmark	99.1
Luxembourg	96.4
Portugal	96.4
Netherlands	95.5
France	95.0
Sweden	95.0
United Kingdom	93.7
Spain	93.7
Italy	91.9
Belgium	91.0
Ireland	91.0
Greece	89.6

	Per cent.
Finland	89.6
Germany	88.2
Austria	77.8

We are encouraging the Commission to ensure that member states catch up on delays, and, at least as importantly, to ensure single market measures are effectively and evenly enforced in each member state. We are also making efforts to ensure that the UK catches up on its backlog.