World Trade Organisation

HC Deb 15 June 2000 vol 351 cc700-1W

Dr. Palmer

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the progress of World Trade Organisation negotiations since the Seattle meeting. [124590]

Mr. Caborn

Since Seattle, the mandated negotiations on agriculture and on services have been launched. Consultations have also been conducted by the Director-General and the Chair of the General Council. The General Council meeting on 3–8 May included discussion on the progress of two areas of consultation. The first involved a package of confidence-building measures aimed at helping developing countries, including establishing an implementation review mechanism. Discussions on the second, on improving consultative and decision-making procedures, are continuing in Geneva.