§ Baroness Miller of Hendonasked Her Majesty's Government:
What are the precise responsibilities of Lord Simon of Highbury at the Treasury and at the Department of Trade and Industry.
§ Lord Simon of HighburyAs Minister for Trade and Competitiveness in Europe I am responsible in the DTI for EU internal market issues including completion of the European single market, the impact of enlargement on the market and plans for the UK presidency of the EU; for the co-ordination of EU issues generally within the DTI; and for insurance. I chair the inter-departmental taskforce on competitiveness in Europe, and attend the internal market council. I am responsible jointly with the Minister of State, Ian McCartney, for corporate governance, corporate affairs and DTI relations with the City of London. I have specific responsibility for corporate governance. I am responsible with Lord Clinton-Davis for DTI issues in the House of Lords. I perform a linking role between the DTI and the Treasury across a range of competitiveness and European issues. I undertake a project based portfolio in the Treasury on economic issues which complements my role in the DTI. I am not Treasury spokeman in the House of Lords. These duties are performed by my noble friend Lord McIntosh.