HL Deb 10 January 1995 vol 560 cc84-5

2.53 p.m.

Lord Campbell of Croy

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether it is their policy that the World Trade Organisation should not be a specialised agency or affiliate of the United Nations.

The Minister of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Earl Ferrers)

My Lords, Her Majesty's Government do not consider that the World Trade Organisation should be a specialised agency or a formal affiliate of the United Nations.

Lord Campbell of Croy

My Lords, I am grateful to my noble friend for his reply, which I welcome. I wish the new organisation well in its future administration of GATT. However, is there any pressure from other governments and organisations for it to be part of the United Nations? Should not GATT be kept separate, if possible, from the horse-trading that has become a feature at the United Nations on different subjects? GATT negotiations such as those in the recent Uruguay Round seem difficult enough without wider complications.

Earl Ferrers

My Lords, the United Nations Secretariat did raise the idea of affiliation. However, it met with unanimous opposition from members of the World Trade Organisation. I entirely agree with my noble friend that the organisation should be kept separate from the United Nations.

Baroness Elles

My Lords, in view of the difficulties of ratifying the accords of the Uruguay Round, can my noble friend confirm that every member state of the European Union will be an individual member of the World Trade Organisation and not merely represented by the European Community as a whole?

Earl Ferrers

My Lords, I believe that the answer to my noble friend's question is yes. However, I prefer to take advice on the matter. If I am wrong, I shall inform my noble friend. My understanding is that each member is a member in its own right.

Lord Ennals

My Lords, is there not a case for a very close liaison between the new World Trade Organisation—which we all wish success—and other UN specialised agencies in order to ensure very close contact? Was the decision taken a final or an interim one? Further, can the matter be reconsidered if it is thought that that would be helpful?

Earl Ferrers

My Lords, I do not believe that we want to reconsider the question. The UK Government do not agree with that idea; nor, indeed, do any other members of the World Trade Organisation. However, I agree with the noble Lord that co-operation is important. We would support the establishment of observers among the World Trade Organisation and other intergovernmental organisations such as the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and so on. We are all in favour of co-operation, but that is different from saying that the organisation should be a part of the United Nations.