HC Deb 10 December 1964 vol 703 cc1801-2
12. Mr. Longden

asked the President of the Board of Trade what progress has been made by the United Nations Trade and Development Board which his predecessor proposed should be set up at the United Nations conference at Geneva in June.

The Minister of State, Board of Trade (Mr. Edward Redhead)

The recommendation of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development that a Trade and Development Board should be established is expected to be adopted at the 19th Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations, which has just begun.

Mr. Longden

Will Her Majesty's Government do all they can to ensure that the initiative shown by the United Kingdom delegation, which contributed a great deal to such success as the conference had, is not allowed to peter out?

Mr. Redhead

The hon. Member can be assured that the present Government will follow up the initiatives that have been taken, and which have been welcomed, and that we shall do so vigorously.

Mr. Dell

Will the Minister of State tell the House whether any consideration has been given to the establishment of the Trade and Development Board in London?

Mr. Redhead

I am not able to say with certainty where the Trade and Development Board will be located, but it is expected that the first meeting will take place early in 1965.

Mr. Heath

Will the Minister bear in mind the desirability of the Trade and Development Board concentrating on matters of trade and aid, and avoiding, as far as possible, the political complications of international affairs; and therefore, the desirability of its being established, perhaps, in Geneva, near the other economic authorities, rather than in New York, which is politically dominated?

Mr. Redhead

The right hon. Gentleman's observations will be duly noted.