HC Deb 26 November 1953 vol 521 cc499-501
10. Mrs. White

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proposals were made at the recent meeting of the Consultative Committee on the Colombo Plan to secure greater stability in commodity prices.

Mr. Maudling

The Consultative Committee made no proposals in this connection, although the report to be published will record the interest of countries in the area which are producers of raw materials in measures to stabilise prices at reasonable levels.

Mrs. White

Would the hon. Gentleman tell us whether Her Majesty's Government have any proposals to make on a matter which is of such very great importance to most of the countries concerned in the Colombo Plan?

Mr. Maudling

That is a rather different and much wider question. Her Majesty's Government are very interested, as they have shown, particularly in the communiquéafter the last Commonwealth Conference, in this most important question. The Question refers to the Colombo Plan meeting, and it would not have been appropriate for that meeting to put forward proposals of this kind.

Mr. Gaitskell

In view of the interest which Her Majesty's Government have shown in this matter, as is shown by the Commonwealth Conference communiquéwhat are the Government doing about it?

Mr. Maudling

They are participating in a number of international discussions about particular commodities.

Mr. Gaitskell

Which ones?

Mr. Maudling

Tin, for example.

19. Sir R. Acland

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in the forthcoming report of the Consultative Committee on the Colombo Plan, he will make sure that there are clear statements, in tabular or other convenient form, showing, in relation to all the external financial assistance received, the countries from which it has been received, the countries to which it has been given, and the dates on which it has been given; and showing for each country the actual achievements, in terms of acres drained or irrigated, in kilowatts of electricity generated, in capital invested in definite projects, etc., in each case compared with the targets proposed in Command Paper No. 8080.

Mr. Maudling

The report was prepared by the Consultative Committee, and my right hon. Friend has no power to vary it. But I hope the hon. Member will find, when the Report is available, that the matters to which he refers have been adequately covered.