§ Mr. StunellTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list Her Majesty's Government's objectives in the proposed Millennium Round of trade negotiations. [65979]
§ Mr. WilsonThe UK Government are strongly in favour of a broad-based new Round of trade negotiations in the World Trade Organisation, and has backed the European Commission's calls for a comprehensive approach. Decisions are to be taken on the scope and timing of these negotiations at the third WTO Ministerial Conference, which will be held in the United States in November this year.
Our objectives at this stage include further tariff reductions; reducing the burden on business and barriers to trade represented by industrial standards and technical regulations; opening up Government procurement markets in third countries; simplifying import and export procedures; ensuring proper enforcement of intellectual property rights around the world; seeking substantial progressive reduction in support and protection for agriculture and developing better regimes to cover issues such as food safety; deepening and broadening the liberalisation of trade in services; establishing a liberal, rules-based framework for international investment; 549W clarifying the interaction between environmental and trade policies to meet concerns that liberalisation should be pursued in a manner compatible with sustainable development; and clarifying the interaction between trade and competition issues. Throughout the Round we shall want to ensure that the interests of developing countries are taken into account and that every opportunity is taken to promote further engagement of the least developed countries.
§ Mr. StunellTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to ensure full consultation with Parliament, relevant non-Governmental organisations and the public over developments in the proposed Millennium Round of trade negotiations. [65982]
§ Mr. WilsonThe Government have always consulted fully on major trade policy developments. The proposed Millennium Round of trade negotiations will not get underway until after the third WTO Ministerial Conference in November 1999. In preparation for and during these negotiations, the Government will consult with interested parties as we have in the past. The timetable for these consultations has not yet been finalised.