With enlargement this is likely to grow by a further 100 million over the next few years. 1,000 Japanese firms. 5,700 from the United States. They invest in Britain not just because it is Britain, but because Britain is part of Europe. Smaller British companies are also dependent on this inward investment which our membership of the European Union brings.
New investors create jobs through the supply chain.
Nissan up in the North East of England, where my constituency is, not only has the highest productivity of any car plant in Europe, but has also supported the development of a world class components industry in the region. Membership of Europe brings other economic benefits. Telecommunications is a vital part of the electronic economy. EU single market measures have opened opportunities for our telecoms operators and reduced costs and prices. The price of a telephone call, for example, to France has halved between 1989 and 1999.