Written question asked by John Bercow (Conservative) on Monday, 5 January 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 27 January 2004. It was answered by Mike O'Brien (Labour) on Tuesday, 27 January 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, whether it is her policy to seek to extend duty-free and quota-free access for all least developed countries exports into all developed countries as part of a development friendly agreement with the World Trade Organisation.

Answer: Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether it is her policy to seek to extend duty-free and quota-free access for all least developed countries exports into all developed countries as part of a development friendly agreement with the World Trade Organisation. [146642] Mr. Mike O'Brien: All exports from least developed countries (LDCs), with the exception of arms, currently enjoy duty and quota free access to the European Union market under the Everything-but-Arms argument (EBA). Other G8 countries have similar but less extensive arrangements. The Government fully support the commitment by the World Trade Organisation, made in the Doha Declaration in November 2001, to seek an agreement with `the objective of duty-free, quota-free market access for products originating from LDCs', and the further commitment `to consider additional measures for progressive improvements in market access for LDCs'. We encourage all members of the World Trade Organisation to deliver on that commitment.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 146642; 417 c300W
Session: 2003-04
Subjects: Access Developing countries Exports Import duties Imports Trade agreements
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk