HL Deb 23 October 2003 vol 653 cc191-2WA
Lord Hylton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will make a formal proposal that the World Trade Organisation should resolve outstanding tariff and subsidy issues before proceeding to negotiate on investment and competition policy. [HL4710]

Lord Sainsbury of Turville

Any proposal put forward by the UK in relation to the ongoing WTO negotiations would have to be agreed by EU member states and presented to the WTO by the European Commission.

However, as my noble friend reported to the House (on 17 September), "Commissioner Lamy, on behalf of the European Union, offered to abandon completely negotiations on investment and competition (at Cancun), a position that was fully supported by the Council of Ministers and, in particular, by the British Government".

Lord Hylton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Following the fifth ministerial conference of the World Trade Organisation in Cancun, what procedural improvements they would like to see in World Trade Organisation negotiations; and how these might be implemented. [HL4712]

Lord Sainsbury of Turville

We are considering these issues in discussion with the European Commission and other EU member states.

Lord Hylton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What instructions they intend to give to senior officials attending the next general council of the World Trade Organisation in Geneva. [HL4708]

Lord Sainsbury of Turville

Senior officials from all WTO members must send a strong signal of their willingness to engage fully and constructively in the Doha round negotiations both before and at the next WTO general council in Geneva on 20–21 October.

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