HC Deb 02 September 1998 vol 317 cc869-70W
Ann Clwyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the operation and cost of the Export Promoter Scheme in each year since 1990. [54162]

Mr. Wilson

[holding answer 31 July 1998]: My hon. Friend the Minister for Small Firms, Trade and Industry reported to the Commons Select Committee on European Legislation on the negotiations on the Multilateral Agreement on Investment (MAI) on 8 July. She undertook to keep the Committee informed of further developments in negotiations.

Wide informal discussions have taken place, both with other negotiating countries and interested parties, but no formal records are kept of these contacts.

Mr. Burstow

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to ensure that hon. Members are given access to the full list of exemptions for each signatory of the Multilateral Agreement on Investment. [54250]

Mr. Wilson

[holding answer 31 July 1998]: On signing the Multilateral Agreement on Investment (MAI) each country's list of exemptions will be published. At this stage in the negotiations, however, the full list of country exemptions is not available. Countries submitted their lists as confidential documents and we therefore cannot release them without the consent of the countries concerned. The UK, however, has always made its list available and has been placed in the Library of the House.

My officials will explore with other countries negotiating with MM the possibility of making their lists public and, if consent is given, I will ensure these are also placed in the Library.