HC Deb 30 July 1997 vol 299 cc413-4W
Mr. Dafis

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the compatibility of the latest draft of the multilateral agreement on investment with the Government's policies on sustainable development. [10655]

Angela Eagle

The Government are working hard for a successful conclusion to the negotiations on a multilateral agreement on investment. Our objective is to achieve an agreement with the highest possible standards of investor protection, liberalisation of investment regimes, and effective dispute settlement. But this Government would not agree to an MAI which damages our commitments to sustainable development, environmental protection and core labour standards. We shall therefore continue to work to ensure that these commitments are properly reflected in the agreement.