GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE EXXON (ESSO) OIL COMPANY

Early day motion 395, tabled 15 February 2000 by Neil Gerrard (Labour). Signed by 35 members.

That this House notes the positive international leadership of Her Majesty's Government in negotiating the Kyoto Protocol in Japan in 1997 and in subsequent international fora leading towards the important sixth Conference of the Parties in The Hague later this year; further notes that a successful outcome in The Hague will be critical in helping the world avert dangerous climate change; further notes that Mr Lee Raymond, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Exxon (Esso) Corporation of Irving, Texas has spoken in London as guest of honour of The Institute of Petroleum at the Dorchester Hotel, Park Lane and that he has consistently sought to deny the existence of climate change and, through his funding of the Global Climate Coalition, to frustrate international processes that seek to tackle the issue; and therefore expresses its serious concern and condemnation of the interventions of the Exxon Corporation and particularly Mr Raymond in blocking and delaying progress during those negotiations, thereby preventing democratically elected governments from reaching necessary, constructive and prompt agreements that allow the world to move forward on this most critical of global issues.

Signatures by party: Labour 28, Labour/Co-operative 3, Liberal Democrat 3, Independent Labour 1.