Written Question · S1W-30236 · Session 1
Further to the answer to question S1W-29654 by Cathy Jamieson on 1 October 2002, what part of the General Agreement on Trade in Services "m…
The question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-29654 by Cathy Jamieson on 1 October 2002, what part of the General Agreement on Trade in Services "makes clear that liberalisation shall take place, if at all, with due respect for national policy objectives, and recognises the right of WTO member governments to regulate, and to introduce new regulations, on the supply of service within their territories in order to meet national policy objectives".
The answer
In the 4th paragraph of the preamble to the GATS, the following statement is located which makes it clear that liberalisation will take place, if at all, with due respect for national policy initiatives:"Recognizing the right of members to regulate, and to introduce new regulations, on the supply of services within their territories in order to meet national policy objectives and, given asymmetries existing with respect to the degree of development of services regulations in different countries, the particular need of developing countries to exercise this right."However, the regulation of international trade is a reserved matter.
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S1W-30236 by reference.