GATT Talks (Hansard, 20 January 1993)

HC Deb 20 January 1993 vol 217 cc306-7W 307W

17. Mr. William O'Brien
To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the recent GATT talks and on the effects that the outcome will have on the United Kingdom economy.

§ 21. Mr. Kirkwood
To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the current state of the GATT round.

§ Mr. Needham
Negotiations are continuing in Geneva, and we still hope it will be possible to reach agreement in the next few weeks. A successful conclusion would bring substantial benefits to the United Kingdom economy: it could directly increase GDP by 1 to 2 per cent. and lead to the creation of 60,000 jobs. Over and above that it would give improved market opportunities and more stable trading conditions for our exporters.