Written question asked by Robert Key (Conservative) on Wednesday, 2 April 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 9 April 2003. It was answered by Clare Short (Labour) on Wednesday, 9 April 2003 on behalf of the Department for International Development.

Dept for International Development

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps her Department is taking to put new momentum into the Doha trade round; and if she will make a statement. - Includes ref to Chatham House Speech, text at: http://www.dfid.gov.uk.

Answer: Mr. Key: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps her Department is taking to put new momentum into the Doha trade round; and if she will make a statement. [107550] Clare Short: We are very concerned at the lack of progress in the current round of WTO negotiations. As I explained in a speech to Chatham House on 25 March 2003, failure in Cancun would be a major set back for both the world economy and poor countries. A full copy of the speech is available on my Department's website (http://www.dfid.gov.uk). In order to inject political momentum into the round I am undertaking, together and in co-ordination with my ministerial colleagues, a series of activities both in public and in private to advocate the benefits of the round, push the negotiations forward, and ensure a successful outcome in Cancun. The Government will continue to work to ensure that the promises for a `development round' made in Doha become a reality.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 107550; 403 c300-1W
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Developing countries Trade Trade agreements World Trade Organization World economy
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk