asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the initiatives, if any, which he is taking to help small firms understand and take advantage of the legal consequences of the Single European Market; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Single European Market.
51.
A comprehensive information and awareness campaign was carried out in the latter half of 1988, under the auspices of the Government's EUROPEN Campaign, to ensure that industry was fully aware of the likely consequences of the Single European Market. My Department and the agencies under my Department's aegis were closely involved in this information campaign which included a nationwide campaign of seminars, led by a Government Minister, and the preparation of detailed information packs.
Because it was felt that there was a need for a more in-depth examination of the consequences of the single market for those sectors most likely to be significantly affected, the EUROPEN office commissioned a number of sectoral analyses. The first of these studies was recently published and the remainder will be published in the near future.
Up-to-date information on the status of the various directives and regulations being introduced as part of the process of completing the single market is available through the EC supported European Business Information Centres established in six regional locations.
A comprehensive range of support programmes is available from the industrial development agencies to facilitate the development of small industry.