§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the stance of her Department was on the Singapore issues at meetings of European trade ministers and officials before 15 December 2003. [146634]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienThe Government remain convinced that there are potential economic and social benefits to be gained from the Singapore issues for both developed and developing countries. However, we must take account of the views of developing countries, many of whom have expressed their strong opposition to taking forward negotiations, particularly in the areas of investment and competition.
I, therefore, welcome the fact that EU Trade Ministers agreed on 2 December that the European Community should "unbundle" the four issues and explore alternative, more flexible approaches, including the possibility of removing some, or all, of the Singapore issues from the Doha Round.
§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what her policy is on the Singapore issue of trade facilitation. [146591]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienThe Government fully support the EU objective of securing an, ideally multilateral, agreement within the WTO on trade facilitation. Research by the World Bank and the OECD, together with the European Commission's own analysis, show the potential for savings and welfare gains. Proportionately developing countries, in particular, stand to gain most.