§ Mr. StreeterTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement 203W on her Department's assessment of the impact of the Multilateral Agreement on Investment on developing countries. [56538]
§ Clare Short[holding answer 26 October 1998]: Following France's decision to withdraw from MAI negotiations, it now seems most unlikely that an Agreement will be presented to Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Ministers for signature in May 1999, as had been the intention of MAI negotiators. However the Government remain committed to working for the development of a liberal, rule-based system for international investment, which takes proper account of social, environmental and developmental issues, and which will be in the interests of developing countries.