HC Deb 21 December 1999 vol 341 cc456-7W
Mrs. Browning

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish a timetable of action needed to re-establish the WTO talks. [103225]

Mr. Byers

[holding answer 20 December 1999]: There is no formal timetable. The first step is for consultations between WTO member governments on the way forward. We would hope that the Round could be launched next year or in 2001. In the meantime, we need, as I have said, to press on urgently with reform of WTO processes so that WTO members are able to work more effectively in the preparation, launch and conduct of trade negotiations.

Mrs. Browning

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has made to(a) the EU and (b) the US Government about reinstating the WTO talks. [103224]

Mr. Byers

[holding answer 20 December 1999]: I discussed these issues with my EU colleagues in the Council of Ministers on the eve of our departure from Seattle. Since Seattle I have been in touch with Commissioner Lamy and my other EU colleagues. We remain agreed on the need to launch a comprehensive Round and there is widespread recognition in the EU and WTO of the need for WTO reform. These matters have also been discussed in the context of the EU/US Summit on 17 December.