HC Deb 23 March 1998 vol 309 c78W
Mr. Hawkins

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment she has made of the effects on United Kingdom local government of signing the Multilateral Agreement on Investment. [35105]

Mrs. Roche

[holding answer 18 March 1998]: Since discrimination against investors on grounds of nationality is not a factor in local government decision-making, the Agreement will have little or no effect on UK local government. Nevertheless, we have been consulting UK local government who have so far not identified any problems or any need for exceptions. If they raise new points, we shall certainly consider them.

Mr. Hawkins

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimate she has made of the future costs to the Exchequer of signing the Multilateral Agreement on Investment. [35107]

Mrs. Roche

[holding answer 18 March 1998]: It is proposed that the MAI will have a small Parties Group and Secretariat, the costs of which will be shared among all parties to the Agreement. Therefore the costs to the Exchequer are likely to be modest.

Mr. Hawkins

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment she has made of the effect on British sovereignty of the Multilateral Agreement on Investment; and if she will make a statement. [35108]

Mrs. Roche

[holding answer 18 March 1998]: Like all treaties, the MAI will impinge on sovereignty to some extent. It will prevent governments discriminating on the ground of the nationality of an investor, unless an exception has been listed by that government for a particular measure. The MAI will not prevent general regulation in economic, social, labour, environmental and other fields.

Ms Walley

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will place in the Library a copy of the Local Government Association's response to the consultation in respect of the MAI. [35103]

Mrs. Roche

Consultations with the Local Government Association are on-going; to date we have not received a formal response.