HC Deb 27 October 1998 vol 318 cc132-3W
Mr. Swayne

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement about progress in negotiating the Multilateral Agreement on Investment. [56321]

Mr. Streeter

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the Government's present policy towards the Multilateral Agreement on Investment. [56539]

Mr. Wilson

The French Government announced, on 14 October, their decision to withdraw from the MAI negotiations. Together with our partners in the OECD, we are considering the full implications for the Agreement. The intention of MAI negotiators had been to present an Agreement to Ministers for signature in May 1999, but this now seems most unlikely. The Government—together with our EU partners—remain committed in the longer term to promoting negotiations on investment through the WTO and to the development of a liberal, rules-based framework for international investment that takes full account of social, environmental and development issues.

Mr. Dafis

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received from regional development agencies concerning the implications for their activities of the proposed Multilateral Agreement on Investment. [56152]

Mr. Wilson

None.

Mr. Dafis

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list forthcoming intergovernmental meetings at which his Department will be represented to discuss the Multilateral Agreement on Investment. [56155]

Mr. Wilson

No dates have been set for any further meetings of the MAI Negotiating Group. I understand that the OECD Secretariat plan to organise a meeting in December for consultations between MAI negotiating parties. I also understand that the Austrian Presidency may call a meeting at EU level in November.

Mr. Dafis

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry by what means he consults the Governments of developing countries in respect of the Multilateral Agreement on Investment. [56154]

Mr. Wilson

The OECD Secretariat have organised a number of "outreach" sessions to developing countries during the course of the MAI negotiations. UK government officials have participated actively in a number of these sessions. In addition, the Department for International Development has ongoing bilateral discussions with a number of developing countries on investment-related issues.