Oral question asked in the House of Commons, by Nicholas Winterton (Conservative). It was answered on Thursday, 26 January 2006 on behalf of the Treasury.

G8 Ministerial Meeting

Question: Two days ago, I had the honour of meeting the recently appointed Bangladesh high commissioner here in London. He is immensely grateful for the aid and assistance that this country gives his country, which is one of the poorest in the world, but he was very disappointed by the outcome of the meeting in Hong Kong, and particularly by the lack of progress in the introduction of genuine fair trade by Europe. What can the Chancellor do to persuade Europe, and all the countries of Europe, to support a policy of genuine free trade so that countries such as Bangladesh can trade their way out of poverty?

Answer: I know that the hon. Gentleman has taken an interest in such issues, especially those associated with countries that have been part of the British Commonwealth or the British empire in the past. I think that the proposals from India and Brazil to break the deadlock in the trade negotiations should be taken seriously. I believe that a further meeting of major players will take place in Davos this week. I hope that we shall see further progress over the next few weeks, because the longer it takes us to reach a trade settlement the more not just our country and others that are part of the advanced industrial economies, but—most of all—the poorest countries in the world, particularly those in Africa and Asia, will lose out. I hope that during the next few weeks we shall see a further attempt to restore the momentum.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 441 c1499-500
Session: 2005-06
Oral question type: Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Commons chamber
Subjects: Developing countries EU external trade G8 Trade Free trade Debts Development aid Debts written off International assistance Poverty
Link: View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk