Written question asked by Jim Cunningham (Labour) on Wednesday, 11 June 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 30 June 2003. It was answered by Mike O'Brien (Labour) on Monday, 30 June 2003 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Dept of Trade and Industry

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what independent assessments of the impact of service liberalisation her Department has studied. - (Holding answer 18 June 2003).

Answer: Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what independent assessments of the impact of service liberalisation her Department has studied. [119589] Mr. Mike O'Brien: [holding answer 18 June 2003]: Many studies have been published showing the potential impact of service liberalisation, including in developing countries. Some of these are referred to in the public consultation document my Department published on the GATS last year, which invited views on the current GATS negotiations. The assessment of trade in services remains a standing item on the agenda of the WTO Council for Trade in Services. Studies and papers prepared for a WTO symposium on assessment are available on the WTO website. In the UK, the Department for International Development is working with the World Bank and UNCTAD to help inform the position of developing countries in the negotiations.

Secondary information