§ Q3. Mr. Prenticeasked the Prime Minister if he will raise the question of the United Nations Development Decade at the meeting of Commonwealth Prime Ministers in September and suggest that 230 the conference issues a declaration pledging all the Common-wealth countries to support the objectives of the Development Decade.
§ The Prime MinisterAs I told the House on 19th April, the main purpose of the Commonwealth Prime Ministers' meeting in September will be to discuss the Common Market, but we shall, of course, make our normal review of world affairs. The detailed scope of our discussions is for the Prime Ministers themselves to decide collectively, and I would not wish to undertake at this stage to raise any particular subjects.
§ Mr. PrenticeI appreciate what the Prime Minister has just said, but will he bear in mind the possibility of issuing a declaration, rather as he did after the last Commonwealth Prime Ministers' Conference, on the subject of disarmament? Does 'he agree that it is essential to give every possible thrust to the idea of a Development Decade and to see that it becomes not just a series of pious hopes but a real advance in the standards of developing countries?
§ The Prime MinisterYes. I have every sympathy with the hon. Member's idea. But he must not underrate the enormous contributions which this country is making and is going on making towards the purpose that he has in mind. What I want to make clear is that I do not lay down the agenda, but that it is agreed by the Commonwealth Prime Ministers.
Sir C.OsborneIn view of the fact that many of the Commonwealth Prime Ministers will be coming from countries with appalling poverty and will, therefore, be coming here rightly expecting economic aid for their people, and bearing in mind that the income per capita in India is only £24 a year and in Pakistan £19 a year compared with our £387 a year, will my right hon. Friend make it abundantly clear to both sides of the House that if we are really going to help the under-developed countries it will involve big sacrifices at home?
§ The Prime MinisterThe terrible gulf between the rich and the poor countries is one of the problems of the world, and it is best met by the developed countries trying to increase their wealth and effort and out of their superfluity helping the under-developed countries.
§ Mr. HealeyIn view of the fact that the main source of capital for developing countries is the money they earn by selling their exports to the developed countries, can the Prime Minister assure the House that at the Prime Ministers' Conference he will insist that Britain will not join the Common Market unless the enlarged Common Market affords to the developing countries of the Commonwealth at least a prospect of a steadily expanding market for their exports?
§ The Prime MinisterThe object of the Community is to have an expansion of wealth and to be an outward-looking and expanding Community.