HC Deb 01 December 1960 vol 631 cc573-4
26. Mr. Pavitt

asked the Minister of Education how the United Kingdom delegation to the Eleventh General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation was selected; to whom the delegation reports back; what form the report will take; and if he will make a statement.

Sir D. Eccles

The delegates were appointed by me after consultation with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland. A report will go to the National Commission. An account of the General Conference now proceeding will also he included in the annual report of my Department for 1960.

Mr. Pavitt

Is the Minister satisfied that he is getting sufficient participation of people in educational-scientific circles in the work of U.N.E.S.C.O. and particularly in this conference? Is this not rather a coterie which is being called upon from time to time, the same people without a sufficient spread of application?

Sir D. Eccles

The Answer to the next Question is relevant to the supplementary question which the hon. Member has just asked.

27. Mr. Pavitt

asked the Minister of Education how many meetings of the United Kingdom National Commission for the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation have been held since 1954.

Sir D. Eccles

The United Kingdom Committee, which acted as an Executive Committee of the National Commission, met four times after 1954. The reconstituted National Commission held its first meeting on 4th October in preparation far the present session of the General Conference of U.N.E.S.C.O.

Mr. Pavitt

Is the Minister satisfied that it is good enough that over six years we have had only five meetings? The Commission has now been reconstituted, but the information available in the Library indicates that the United Kingdom makes a very poor show in relation to U.N.E.S.C.O. compared with other countries. Is it not time that this country played its proper part in U.N.E.S.C.O.?

Sir D. Eccles

We are trying at this conference to see whether we can change the emphasis of the work of U.N.E.S.C.O. If we are successful I think that will be a very good thing. I am determined to take more opportunities of consulting the National Commission in future.