§ Lord Morris of Manchesterasked Her Majesty's Government:
What arrangements are being made to provide technical and financial assistance to reduce the impact of the trading arrangements of the World Trade Organisation and the Free Trade Area of the Americas on British Overseas Territories in terms of adjustment periods, special and deferential treatment and resource needs. [HL3448]
71WA
§ The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean)The provisions of the World Trade Organisation do not apply to the British Overseas Territories, with the exception of Gibraltar, which is covered by the EC's membership to the extent that the EC Treaty applies to Gibraltar. Negotiations for the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) are at an early stage and it remains unclear what, if any, implications the FTAA might have for the Overseas Territories. We will keep this under close review.