HC Deb 01 July 1998 vol 315 cc216-7W
Ms Walley

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if the Government will seek to renegotiate the Multilateral Agreement on Investment to take more account of environmental and labour standards. [48050]

Mrs. Roche

The negotiations on the Multilateral Agreement on Investment (MAI) have not yet been concluded. In the negotiations the Government will continue to work for strong provisions on environmental and labour standards.

Ms Walley

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what will be Parliament's role in ratification of the proposed Multilateral Agreement on Investment; on what time scale; and if she will make a statement. [48049]

Mrs. Roche

Standard Parliamentary practice for treaties will be observed. In addition, the Multilateral Agreement on Investment (MAI) is the subject of scrutiny by the Select Committee on European Legislation, as the European Community will also sign the Agreement. It is too early to say what the timetable for ratification will be.

Ms Walley

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will publish the future schedule of negotiations on the proposed Multilateral Agreement on Investment, including informal and technical meetings. [48057]

Mrs. Roche

Formal negotiations on the Multilateral Agreement on Investment (MAI) are intended to re-commence in October, and regular meetings are likely to occur up to the next OECD ministerial meeting in May 1999, accompanied by technical and informal meetings. No schedule is yet available. European Community meetings are a matter for the incoming Austrian Presidency which plans to hold them in July, September, and before each OECD meeting. The Department is planning an informal meeting of MAI negotiating partners on the relationship between the MAI and developing countries in London in July.