§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the European Commission proposal that the G20 be invited to give preferential access to products from the poorest countries. [146600]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienI have been asked to reply.
All exports from least developed countries (LDCs), with the exception of arms, currently enjoy duty and quota free access to the European Union market under the Everything-but-Arms argument (EBA). Other G8 countries have similar but less extensive arrangements.
The Government fully supports the commitment by the World Trade Organisation, made in the Doha Declaration in November 2001, to seek an agreement with 'the objective of duty-free, quota-free market access for products originating from LDCs', and the further commitment 'to consider additional measures for progressive improvements in market access for LDCs'. We encourage all members of the World Trade Organisation to deliver on that commitment.