HC Deb 18 April 1972 vol 835 cc210-1
6. Mr. Judd

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a statement on the Government's policy towards the recommendations on international agricultural policy submitted by the developing countries to the Third United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, at present taking place at Santiago, Chile.

Mr. Anthony Stodart

As my right hon. Friend the Minister for Trade told this Conference at its opening plenary session last week, the Government recognise that, since exports of primary agricultural commodities are of great importance to the economies of many developing countries, it is important to tackle the outstanding problems in every way we can.

Mr. Judd

Will not the hon. Gentleman accept that so far the Government's rôle in Santiago has appeared extraordinarily half-hearted and ineffective? Is he aware that the majority of developing countries have said categorically that the common agricultural policy of the EEC is a grave obstacle to the economic and social development of the people of the Third World? What will the Government do about this, or are they so anxious to creep uncritically into Europe that they will stay silent on it?

Mr. Stodart

I do not agree with the hon. Gentleman's first observation. With regard to the second, I refer him to the Written Answer given him on 28th March.

Mr. Edwin Wainwright

Will the Minister have another look at the matter and use his influence with the Government? Does not he realise that it is futile for the Government to say that private enterprise investment should be taken into account when we are making a calculation of the 1 per cent. of gross national product given in aid? Does not he agree that private enterprise always wants a return for its money, so that Government grants are far better? Do not we owe something to the under-developed nations to make sure that their standard of living will increase?

Mr. Stodart

I agree that we owe something to the under-developed nations. Most of the least developed of those countries are heavily dependent on agricultural commodities of a very limited range, and the prime need in order to tackle that problem at source is technical help to assist them to diversify.