HC Deb 01 August 1951 vol 491 c1439
22. Sir R. Acland

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement on the policy of His Majesty's Government in relation to the proposal made in the United Nations Report on Measures for the Economic Development of Under-developed Countries for the establishment of an Economic Commission for Africa; and, particularly, on the question of securing direct representation on such a Commission for the non-self-governing territories in Africa.

Mr. J. Griffiths

As stated last February by the United Kingdom delegate to the Economic and Social Council, we consider that the objectives of an Economic Commission for Africa can be fully achieved by existing machinery, which is described in paragraphs 459–463 and 853–855 of my Report to Parliament for 1950–51, and we agree with the other countries in or concerned with Africa in seeing no advantage in setting up another organisation for this purpose.

Sir R. Acland

Would the Minister consider with the Leader of the House the desirability of having a discussion in this House about this question, as a most authoritative United Nations Report makes this one of its major recommendations, and similar Commissions in regard to South-East Asia have succeeded in rendering very considerable service.

Mr. Griffiths

That is a matter which my hon. Friend should take up with the Leader of the House.