HC Deb 11 July 1997 vol 297 cc626-7W
Mr. Colvin

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, pursuant to his answer of 3 July,Official Report, column 221, what meetings he has attended with his European counterparts to ensure that the European Social and Employment Chapters ensure better quality regulation at the European level; and if he will make a statement. [7661]

Dr. David Clark

It is important for us to ensure that European regulations are clear, focused and accessible without imposing unnecessary burdens on business and citizens.

On 9 July in Vienna, I met Dr. Hannes Farnleitner, Austrian Minister for Economic Affairs, and Dr. Klaus Bünger, State Secretary in the German Economics Ministry, to discuss ways of working together to improve the quality of European regulation during our consecutive EU Presidencies.

I plan to visit other Member States and the European Commission in the Autumn.