Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what further steps he plans to take to complete the single market in the EU. [42796]

Mark Prisk MP; Minister of State (Business & Enterprise): The Government will publish their response to the Commission consultation on the Single Market Act on 28 February 2011. In this we argue that reforms to the single market should be seen as part of a wider strategy to encourage growth across the EU. We recommend that the Commission focus its efforts on those actions

28 Feb 2011 : Column 295W

that will have the greatest positive impact on growth. Specifically, we recommend that the Commission takes action to:

Improve the single market in services;

Modernise the single market so as to enable businesses and citizens to take advantage of advances in digital technology; support the development of a single market in energy and low carbon; facilitate innovation; and help businesses trying to trade with the rest of the world; and

Support small and medium enterprise growth and ensure that the single market works for citizens.

Copies of the consultation response will be placed in the Libraries of the House.