Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development

HC Deb 12 March 2003 vol 401 cc282-3W

Mr. Stephen O'Brien

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment HM Treasury has made of the future expansion in membership of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development; and if he will make a statement. [102002]

John Healey

Since its foundation in 1960 10 countries have joined the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development's original membership of 20. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs is responsible for the Government's institutional relationship with the OECD. Treasury officials will be working with the FCO to assess the impact of possible enlargement of the OECD. There is no automatic process through which countries can become eligible to join the OECD, but the UK's view is that the OECD should establish a coherent strategy encompassing potential enlargement, requests for observership status, and its approach to nonmembers though Outreach programmes. The strategy should ensure that the OECD enhances its ability to perform its core tasks.