§ Baroness Smith of Gilmorehillasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they have plans to consult UK business on the enlargement of the EU to the countries of Central and Eastern Europe.
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§ The Minister of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Simon of Highbury)Today, I am publishing a consultation document which seeks the views of UK businesses, consumers and employees on the enlargement of the EU to the countries of Central and Eastern Europe.
The Government are committed to successful EU enlargement. It will not only enhance the security and stability of the continent, but also introduce 100 million extra consumers into the internal market, bringing greater opportunities for British businesses and greater choice and value for British consumers. We think British businesses appreciate this—indeed, they are already increasingly turning towards these important emerging markets. But enlargement presents major challenges as well as great opportunities for the EU, and we want to be sure that we are representing the interests of UK businesses, employees and consumers as accurately as we can in discussions in Brussels and elsewhere. So I urge all those with an interest in the future development of the EU to take this opportunity to let us know what they think.
I have placed a copy of the consultation document in the Library of the House. Copies can be obtained from:
Comments should be sent to the same address, to arrive by 20 March 1998.
- EU Enlargement Consultation
- EU Enlargement Unit
- Department of Trade and Industry
- 66–74 Victoria Street
- LONDON
- SW1E 6SW
- Tel. 0171 215 4407
- Fax 0171 215 4469
The document can also be found on the DTI Internet Homepage at: http://www.dti.gov.uk