§ Mr. Matthew TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) how the Government will ensure that environmental protection is fully integrated into the OECD Multilateral Agreement on Investment; [3962]
(2) what is the Government's policy on (a) the formal consultation of non-Governmental organisations by OECD Governments on the OECD Multilateral Agreement on Investment and (b) an immediate, independent review of the environmental, social and consumer impacts of the OECD Multilateral Agreement on investments; [3958]
(3) if the OECD Multilateral Agreement on Investment will have precedence over existing multilateral environmental agreements to which the UK is a signatory on the ozone layer, climate and biodiversity. [3961]
§ Ms Angela EagleThe Government would not want to see a Multilateral Agreement on Investment which damaged our commitment to sustainable development and to environment protection. We shall also want to ensure that obligations under multilateral environmental agreements are fully safeguarded. We are aware of the concerns raised by environmental non-governmental organisations and support both formal and informal consultation with them as negotiations continue. We will discuss with negotiating partners in the OECD whether there is a need for an impact study of the Agreement.