HC Deb 31 July 1962 vol 664 cc394-5
21. Mr. Prentice

asked the Secretary for Technical Co-operation if the Government will reconsider the level of their contribution in 1962 to United Nations technical assistance and pre-investment programmes in the light of the discussions currently taking place in the Economic and Social Council on the United Nations Development Decade.

Mr. Vosper

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply given him on 10th July by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.

Mr. Prentice

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that after the United Nations General Assembly approved the resolution on the U.N. Development Decade it passed another resolution setting a new target of 150 million dollars for technical assistance and pre-investment programmes for 1962 and the United Kingdom voted for both resolutions? In those circumstances, how can he maintain and justify a contribution geared to the old target if the Government are to prove their sincerity in approving the whole idea of the Development Decade?

Mr. Vosper

If the hon. Member studies those resolutions, as I am sure he has, he will see that we have pledged ourselves to review our contributions in the autumn and that we are seeking to do.

Mr. Prentice

Not for this year?

Mr. Vosper

Not for this year.