THURSO BACKS TRADE JUSTICE CAMPAIGN

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 23rd Jun 2003

Local MP John Thurso, speaking in the run up to this week-end's 24 Hours for Trade Justice, said:

"It is a scandal that the disparity between the rich countries and developing countries is actually growing, not lessening. I am therefore delighted to give my full support to the 24 Hours for Trade Justice campaign this week-end.

"I have long supported the view that if we wish to secure international stability and a sustainable international future, both economically and environmentally, then it is the absolute responsibility of rich nations to ensure that world trade rules help, rather than hinder, poor countries.

"I have been particularly struck by the Christian Aid campaign. I have received nearly a thousand post cards from across the constituency, from individuals, from schools and from Churches. It is clear that this is an issue which is widely supported and I call on the UK Government to put it at the top of its agenda at the September meeting of the World Trade Organisation in Cancun, Mexico."