EFFECTS OF EU EXPANSION

Early day motion 795, tabled 9 March 2004 by Keith Vaz (Labour). Signed by 45 members.

That this House welcomes the recent reports published by the National Institute of Economic and Social Research and Ernst & Young Item Club stating clearly that the economy will benefit from European Union expansion; agrees with the reports that because of the forthcoming European Union enlargement British exporters will benefit from new markets and consumers will enjoy cheaper imported goods; agrees that the negative attention given lately towards enlargement is completely unfounded in economic terms; and acknowledges that the benefits of enlargement are not only economic but also social since the accession countries will bring with them new cultures, styles and languages.

Signatures by party: Labour 26, Liberal Democrat 14, Labour/Co-operative 2, Plaid Cymru 2, Scottish National Party 1.