HC Deb 21 November 2001 vol 375 cc309-10W
11. Hugh Bayley

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the World Trade Organisation's response to the proposal in paragraph 229 of her White Paper, "Eliminating World Poverty: making globalisation work for the poor". [14156]

Clare Short

The ministerial declaration from the WTO meeting in Doha made strong commitments to the interests of developing countries. The ministerial declaration resulted in agreement on the need to reduce subsidies and barriers to trade in agriculture, manufacturing and services, which could potentially produce enormous benefits for developing countries. The agreement on TRIPS recognised the need for a flexible interpretation of TRIPS to enable developing countries to protect public health. The challenge now is to ensure that these commitments become a reality.

12. Kevin Brennan

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on her priorities in the latest WTO round regarding the reduction of world poverty. [14157]

Clare Short

Our priorities were set out in the White Paper "Eliminating World Poverty: making globalisation work for the poor". Many of these were fulfilled, in particularAgreement on TRIPS and public health, recognising the need for a flexible interpretation of TRIPS to enable developing countries to protect public health. Action on some 50 measures form the developing countries' Implementation agenda from the Uruguay Round. On agriculture, commitment to real progress on market access and action on export subsidies. Continuing negotiations on services, which offer real prospects for developing countries to make substantial benefits through liberalisation and economic growth. Commitment to tackle tariff peaks, high tariffs and tariff escalation as well as non-tariff barriers. A commitment to a work programme on trade, debt and finance. Systematic attention throughout the text to the issue of capacity building. A comprehensive set of commitments on the particular needs of the least-developed countries, including a commitment to the objective of duty and quota free market access plus a commitment to make their accession process faster. A review of Special and Differential treatment—across all WTO business areas—to strengthen these provisions and make them more precise, operational and effective.

14. Mr. Carmichael

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the implications of the outcome of the WTO 4 ministerial conference for developing countries. [14159]

Clare Short

The UK is committed to negotiations which bring real benefits to developing countries. The ministerial declaration includes a number of commitments in areas of vital importance to developing countries including, agricultural liberalisation and action on tariff peaks for industrial goods. Of particular importance is the agreement on TRIPS and public health.

The ministerial declaration also places a heavy requirement on donor countries to meet the trade-related technical assistance requirements, both in terms of financial resources but also to ensure effective delivery. This will require changes in working practices by both bilateral and multilateral agencies. The UK has taken the lead in this area and has pledged £20 million over the next three years for trade-related technical assistance. We hope other countries will make corresponding pledges.

17. Tony Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps she is taking to implement resolutions of the WTO meeting at Doha to promote fairer terms of trade for developing countries. [14162]

Clare Short

The UK has been working for many years to support a round which will benefit developing countries. The ministerial declaration includes a number of commitments in areas of vital importance to developing countries including, for example, agricultural liberalisation and action on tariff peaks for industrial goods. Of particular importance is the agreement on TRIPS and public health.

The ministerial declaration also places a heavy requirement on donor countries to meet the trade-related technical assistance requirements, both in terms of financial resources but also to ensure effective delivery. This will require changes in working practices by both bilateral and multilateral agencies. The UK has taken the lead in this area and has pledged £20 million over the next three years for trade-related technical assistance. We hope other donor countries will make corresponding pledges.

30. Mr. Win Griffiths

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the implications of the Doha ministerial meeting on trade for her Department. [14175]

Clare Short

The ministerial declaration represents a welcome development agenda for multilateral trade talks for which we have worked for a number of years. But this is only the beginning of negotiations. To achieve Development round we will continue to work to try to ensure that these commitments become a reality.