§ Mr. ParryTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Her Majesty's Government support the social clauses proposed in the GATT negotiations, to be discussed in the social summit convened in Copenhagen by the United Nations in March 1995.
§ Mr. David DavisThe Government do not support calls for the inclusion of a social clause in the GAIT or other multilateral trade agreements. We remain unconvinced that trade measures are an appropriate or effective way of addressing the issue of labour standards. We believe this issue is better addressed in other ways and other forums, notably the International Labour Organisation. We are concerned that changes to GATT rules, ostensibly to promote social objectives, could be used as a cover for protectionist action.