World Population Conference

HC Deb 22 March 1971 vol 814 cc30-1

36. Mr. Dormand

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will take the initiative in seeking to convene, through the United Nations or otherwise, a world conference to discuss as a matter of urgency the problem of increasing population.

Mr. Wood

The United Nations has already decided to hold a World Population Conference in 1974. We supported that decision and intend to play a full part in the conference and in various regional conferences leading up to it.

Mr. Dormand

Does not that reply reveal a dangerous complacency about one of the major problems facing the world today? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the world population will double by the end of the century, and that it is likely that there will be millions of deaths from starvation, apart from the other serious problems which such an increase in population will bring?

Mr. Wood

I cannot understand the charge of complacency. The hon. Gentleman asked whether we would arrange to set up a world population conference, and I said that one is to take place.