TRADE TALKS IN HONG KONG

Early day motion 1313, tabled 20 December 2005 by Greg Mulholland (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 32 members.

That this House expresses its disappointment over the lack of significant progress to correct imbalances in world trade at the latest round of World Trade Organisation talks in Hong Kong; notes that developed countries, particularly the US and those within the EU, sought to push for open markets in developing countries, but failed to agree substantive measures to end domestic protectionism; further notes that the EU and US did not agree to end the dumping of agricultural products in developing countries; welcomes the agreement to end agricultural export subsidies but notes that EU export subsidies were already being phased out; and calls on the UK Government to take forward the Make Poverty History agenda by promoting action within the EU and at the World Trade Organisation to make fairer world trade rules a reality.

Signatures by party: Liberal Democrat 13, Labour 10, Conservative 5, DUP 1, Scottish National Party 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1, UUP 1.