HC Deb 18 July 1962 vol 663 cc429-30
28. Mr. Prentice

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will make a statement on the sessions of the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations in Geneva which discussed the arrangements for the United Nations Development Decade.

Mr. P. Thomas

As this item is still under discussion at the Economic and Social Council, I am not in a position to make a statement.

Mr. Prentice

Would not the hon. Gentleman agree that one of the disappointing aspects is that the new targets for technical assistance and pre-investment work which were geared to the Development Decade are not getting the response which was expected? In view of that, would he consider the British contributions for 1962, which are still geared to the old and not the new target?

Mr. Thomas

Yes. I went to the Economic and Social Council last week and my impression was that all the countries who were members of the Council were enthusiastically behind the scheme, but it would not be right to go into details until the full meeting of the Council has been completed.

Mr. Mayhew

Will the hon. Gentleman give an assurance that he is considering an increase in the British contribution called for and that a decision will be made without delay?

Mr. Thomas

As the hon. Gentleman knows, the matter is coming up for review in the autumn.

Mr. Biggs-Davison

Will my hon. Friend give an assurance that none of this effort will divert resources from the development of the Commonwealth?

Mr. Thomas

Yes. As my hon. Friend knows, most of our resources go to the development of the Commonwealth.