Written Question · S1W-32597 · Session 1
Further to the answers to questions S1W-29654 and S1W-30237 by Cathy Jamieson on 1 October and 29 October 2002, how the statement in the an…
The question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S1W-29654 and S1W-30237 by Cathy Jamieson on 1 October and 29 October 2002, how the statement in the answer to question S1W-30237 that it is not for it to consider whether or not requests for liberalisation seek the privatisation of state-supplied public services is consistent with the answer to question S1W-29654 that requests for liberalisation by World Trade Organisation (WTO) members do not seek the privatisation of state-supplied public services.
The answer
The regulation of international trade is a reserved matter and the lead on WTO and General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) negotiations is taken by the UK Government. Any requests for liberalisation will take place, if at all, at member state, not at Scottish Executive level. However, it is the UK Government's view that public services are excluded from GATS and in any event WTO members have the right to choose in which sectors and to what extent they want to make commitments.
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S1W-32597 by reference.