> "Haringey Council notes the proposed forthcoming round of talks of the World
> Trade Organisation in Qatar on 9-13 November. The Council also notes the
> "Parade for Trade Justice" called by a range of development and
> environmental organisations on 3 November, calling for a fundamental review
> of the impact of world trade rules on poorer people and on the environment
> before any further extension of those rules.
>
> The Council needs to be concerned about the potential effects of world trade
> rules and the proposed General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) in
> particular on its own services and on local communities. This agreement is
> presently being negotiated, and may have similar impacts on restricting
> procurement and the provision of services as the Multilateral Agreement on
> Investment on which the Council passed a motion in 1999. It could seriously
> prejudice the Council's ability to condition inward investment and undermine
> the local planning regime. Prior to any extension of the GATS system the
> government should assess and consider the likely effects of  this upon the
> provision of public services within the UK.  The government should ensure as
> wide a constituency as possible is involved and the results made publicly
> available.
>
> The Council therefore agrees:
>
> 1) to write to the Minister of State for Trade and the Secretary of State
> for Transport, Local Government and the Regions with the following questions
> :-
>   
> a] What Council services and functions could be affected by the proposed
> GATS, and what assessment has been carried out of this?
>
> b] What assessment has taken place concerning the effect of these proposals
> on the UK planning system, subsidiarity and the UK's sustainable development
> objectives?
>
> c] What proposals has the government to involve the public and public
> service providers in the development of its position in relation to GATS?
>
> 2) to write to the LGA to ask them to consider the effects of GATS on the
> provision of local services and to lobby to protect local authorities'
> powers in procurement, planning and other decision-making.
>
> 3) to write to our local MPs to request them to pursue the questions in 1a,
> b and c.
>
> 4) to publicise the Parade for Trade Justice by any means appropriate that
> does not incur additional expenditure
>              
> 5) to issue an immediate press statement on the above motion and actions."
>
>
> Note: the Parade for Trade Justice is organised by ActionAid, Catholic Fund
> for Overseas Development, Christian Aid, Friends of the Earth, Oxfam, World
> Development Movement and others.