CHANCELLOR Gordon Brown has promised East Lancashire MP Peter Pike the Government is to step up efforts to ensure fair trade for Third World countries.

He spoke out during Treasury Questions at the Commons this week.

Burnley Labour back bencher Mr Pike asked Mr Brown: "You know that I believe that the Labour Government's record on a world debt has been excellent during his period as Chancellor or the Exchequer.

"Do you believe that we can now make real progress with the G7 group of the world's richest nations in not only continuing what this country has been doing so positively, but tackling the issues of fair trade?

"It is very important indeed that we not only relieve debt but give those countries an opportunity to participate in fair trade in the world."

Mr Brown replied: "I am grateful to you. You too have taken a great interest in these matters in recent years.

"At the G7 meeting in Florida, in America, we shall be discussing the issue not only of debt and the international finance facility, but of trade.

"It is imperative that the main developed countries relaunch the world's trade talks. That is in the interests of Europe and America and of the developing countries.

"It is imperative, too, that steps are taken to deal with agricultural protection.

"I shall press my G7 colleagues and propose that we take an initiative to show that we are serious in persuading people that these trade talks, which have been stalled for too long, should get going quickly."