§ David CairnsTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the impact on British(a) business and (b) jobs of the next wave of EU enlargement. [25731]
§ Peter HainThe Government consider that the next wave of EU enlargement will have significant benefits for UK business and jobs. As a result of enlargement, UK business will have access to a single market comprising up to 450 million consumers—bigger than the US and Japan combined. This huge single market should boost trade, jobs and prosperity in all EU member states. Independent research estimates that enlargement will add around £1.75 billion to UK GDP and 1.5 per cent. to the GDP of each candidate country. It is also estimated by the 921W European Round Table of Industrialists that enlargement will create over 300,000 extra jobs across the EU and two million new jobs in the candidate countries.
§ David CairnsTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what role Britain is playing in helping to prepare countries applying for accession to the EU. [25433]
§ Peter HainI refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Dundee, East (Mr. Luke) on 8 January 2002,Official Report, column 576W.