HC Deb 06 June 1956 vol 553 cc1075-6
36. Mr. A. Henderson

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will instruct his representative at the United Nations to support the proposal of the French Government for the establishment of a United Nations Fund for Economic Development.

Mr. Selwyn Lloyd

The right hon. and learned Member is presumably referring to the French proposal made in the North Atlantic Council for a World Economic Development Agency. This proposal is under consideration by us and our North Atlantic Treaty Organisation Allies.

Mr. A. Henderson

Will Her Majesty's Government give sympathetic consideration to this proposal? Would the right hon. and learned Gentleman not agree that international agreement providing for cuts in all defence budgets would serve two purposes: first, it would make a contribution to the solution of the disarmament problem and—[HON. MEMBERS: "Speech."]—second, it would enable the United Nations to start the work of developing the undeveloped countries? May I ask—[HON. MEMBERS: "Speech."]—I try to keep my questions as short as possible—[HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."] Mr. Speaker, is it not possible to protect hon. Members from the interruptions from the other side of the House?

Mr. Speaker

I do not think that the right hon. and learned Gentleman has too much of which to complain. Will the Foreign Secretary answer the Question as far as it has been asked?

Mr. Lloyd

The right hon. and learned Gentleman will be aware that we have in principle supported the establishment of a United Nations Development Fund. Of course, a practical difficulty is where the money will come from for the development to take place, or for the fund to be put into being. It must definitely have some relationship with disarmament, but I am not aware that in fact that relationship is specified in Mr. Pineau's plan.