asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they intend to provide examples of service sector companies and activities in the United Kingdom which would benefit from the greater deregulation and competitiveness which flow from the European Union's Lisbon process mark two. IHL1516]

The spring European Council will decide on policy priorities for the second half of the Lisbon strategy at its mid-term review in March 2005. Creating a properly functioning internal market for services is a key element in delivering the Lisbon strategy. The proposed directive on services in the internal market should result in a significant reduction in barriers to trade in services within the EU. As part of our strategy to develop the evidence base for the benefits of a properly functioning internal market for services, we have commissioned case studies to provide examples of the potential impact of the proposed directive on service sector companies in the UK. This work will be completed by the summer and we will make the results available to all interested parties.