§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether it was her policy to support the decision of the European Union at the World Trade Organisation ministerial in Cancun to pursue negotiations on the Singapore issues. [146601]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienThe Government remain convinced that it is important for developed and developing countries alike to reduce bureaucracy on cross border trade (trade facilitation), to encourage a climate which facilitates foreign direct investment, to promote economic growth through fair competition and to encourage transparency in the procurement of public goods and services to help reduce corruption and increase good governance.
§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she was consulted about the drafting of the Derbez text at the World Trade Organisation ministerial in Cancun. [146602]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienThe draft Ministerial Declaration, circulated by the Mexican Foreign Minister Derbez, was produced following extensive consultations with WTO members and the European Commission. The UK and other EU member states made their views known to the commission formally, through meetings of the Article 133 Committee and the European Council, and informally.