Written question asked by David Kidney (Labour) on Thursday, 14 October 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 18 November 2004. It was answered by Douglas Alexander (Labour) on Thursday, 18 November 2004 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 the position of the UK Government is in determining the European Union's policy regarding whether to include drinking water in the World Trade Organisation's negotiations on global trade.

Answer: Mr. Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the position of the UK Government is in determining the European Union's policy regarding whether to include drinking water in the World Trade Organisation's negotiations on global trade. [192360] Mr. Alexander: The European Union has requested a number of members of the World Trade Organisation to offer commitments under the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) that provide for market access in relation to the provision of services related to the supply of water for human use. Many people in developing countries lack access to clean drinking water and it is a Millennium Development Target to halve the number of people in this position by 2015. Many of these countries need assistance to provide the infrastructure required to meet this target. It is widely recognised that the private sector can have a role to play in this regard. The EU's requests give developing countries the opportunity to consider whether guarantees of market access may enhance private sector participation. It is for governments to choose for themselves whether or not to open their water services to foreign suppliers. Nothing in GATS forces them to privatise or prevents them regulating appropriately. The EU's requests reflect the collective interests of the EU and member states. The UK has not itself requested the inclusion of water services.

Secondary information