HC Deb 05 March 1998 vol 307 cc1193-4
14. Mr. David Heath

What assessment she has made of the implications of the draft multilateral agreement on investment for developing countries. [31142]

Mr. Ian McCartney

The Department for International Development has commissioned a study of the implications of the multilateral agreement on investment—MAI—for developing countries, which will be made available in good time for the OECD ministerial meeting at the end of April.

Mr. Heath

I thank the Minister for that reply, and I thank the Minister for Small Firms, Trade and Industry for her helpful contribution to a recent Adjournment debate on that subject. Given the timetable and the widespread interest in the issue, can the Minister say whether the report from the Department for International Development will be available for debate in Parliament or in Committee, and available for consultation with non-governmental organisations, before the meeting of Ministers in April?

Mr. McCartney

I can confirm that the report will be available before the meeting in April.

Mr. MacShane

Has the Minister seen the statement from the OECD on the previous meeting which, in effect, announced that the MAI negotiations would have to continue for one more year, and which stressed in its opening paragraphs the importance of fair labour standards and environmental protection—issues put on the agenda by the Labour Government? Does he agree that that contrasts with the conspiratorial secrecy in which those negotiations were conducted under the previous Administration? Can he assure the House that Labour Ministers will continue to report to Members and the House on the conduct of the MAI negotiations?

Mr. McCartney

I thank my hon. Friend for that question. Not a single Conservative Member bothered to turn up and participate in a recent debate in the House on such an important subject. It was left to Labour and Liberal Democrat Members. May I make it clear that unless we are satisfied that the MAI will not undermine environmental protection and labour standards, we shall not sign it.

Mr. Bercow

Does the Minister share the stated view of the Secretary of State for International Development that the main reason for the Government's support for the insertion of a social clause in any international trading or investment agreement is simply to appease the British trade union movement?

Mr. McCartney

The hon. Gentleman gets sillier every time he speaks in the Chamber. We are trying to provide an international agreement that will ensure for both developing and under-developed countries an improvement in environmental and labour standards. The only contribution that the hon. Gentleman can make to the debate affecting the lives of tens of millions is a stupid schoolboy remark, which is not even worth answering.