HL Deb 11 November 1998 vol 594 c93WA
Lord Judd

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What action they are taking together with their partners in the European Union to ensure that developing countries are enabled to pursue and enjoy their full rights within the World Trade Organisation. [HL3678]

Baroness Amos

As we set out in the White Paper, the Government support an open, fair and sustainable multilateral trading system for the benefit of all countries, including developing countries. The UK is currently working with multilateral agencies to enhance the capacity of developing countries to implement their commitments under existing Uruguay Round Agreements, and to negotiate their trade interests. Dispute settlement is a central part of the WTO system. The UK has helped to develop working proposals, currently being looked at by the WTO membership, designed to help developing countries make effective use of dispute settlement procedures. The EU is considering a possible alternative European proposal.

The UK is also actively working within Whitehall and Brussels to ensure that the preparatory process for a prospective trade round takes due account of development concerns.