WORLD TRADE ORGANISATION

Early day motion 193, tabled 14 December 1999 by David Chaytor (Labour). Signed by 73 members.

That this House congratulates the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on calling for a reform of the World Trade Organisation following the Seattle Conference; recognises that the United Kingdom is uniquely placed to take on a leading role in reforming the World Trade Organisation through its membership of the European Union and its close relationship with developing countries in the Commonwealth; believes that World Trade Organisation reform should be pursued in conjunction with the Chancellor of the Exchequer's plans for modernisation of the IMF and the World Bank; further believes that such reform should lead to the creation of a framework for capacity-building to enable genuine participation in negotiations by parliamentarians, developing countries and non-governmental organisations; and urges the Government to build a new consensus in favour of a global trading system which seeks to reconcile the need for autonomy and self-sufficiency within developing countries, the recognition of international environmental treaties and minimum labour standards, the conservation of natural resources, a balance of rights and responsibilities within multinational corporations, and an appropriate balance of power between multinational corporations and democratically elected governments.

Signatures by party: Labour 55, Liberal Democrat 10, Labour/Co-operative 5, UUP 2, Scottish National Party 1.