Globalisation and Health Services
Raised by: WDM
on 01 November 2000
We the undersigned note that the World Trade Organisation (WTO) is pushing for greater liberalisation of trade in services and that the outcome will be binding on the Scottish Parliament. We are concerned at how liberalisation (moves towards the free market) will impact upon our health service in particular.
While trade negotiations are governed by Westminster, the Scottish Parliament remains free to discuss any issue it deems relevant. It is essential that the Parliament makes informed decisions upon devolved matters, and so MSPs must be aware of new limits set by external bodies.
We further note that 53 MSPs have signed a Motion calling for an open discussion of these implications (and that this is a majority of those MSPs eligible to sign such Motions).
We therefore call upon the Health and Community Care Committee of the Parliament to examine the possible implications for health policy in Scotland and to relay their findings to the Executive, the Parliament and to the people of Scotland
