HC Deb 03 July 1972 vol 840 cc29-30
32. Mr. Marten

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps, following upon the third United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, the Government now propose to take to help raise the standard of living in developing countries.

35. Mr. Meacher

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a further statement on Great Britain's aid programme following the third United Nations Conference on Trade and Development.

Mr. Wood

Within the rising aid programme which we have already announced we shall continue to provide help where we think it is most needed and follow up the initiatives which we supported at UNCTAD III. My right hon. Friend the Minister for Trade answered general questions about this Conference on 12th June and on the same day I gave the House an account of our attitude to the resolutions on aid matters.

Mr. Marten

What is the Government's estimate of the effect upon the developing Commonwealth of the Government's exchange controls on capital outflow to the sterling area?

Mr. Wood

It is impossible at the moment to make an estimate. It is difficult to know what effect this will or will not have. We may be in a better position to know the answer in a few weeks' or months' time.

Mr. Jay

Has the right hon. Gentleman seen the recent statement by Mr. Arnold Smith of the Commonwealth Secretariat that the Commonwealth countries' share of the EEC market has fallen over 10 years from 22 to 16 per cent.?

Mr. Wood

This is why we hope that British accession to the Common Market and the arrangements which we hope will be made between the expanded EEC and the developing countries of the Commonwealth will mean that opportunities will increase in the future.

Mrs. Hart

Will the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that he will take very urgent steps to impress on his right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster the urgency of both aid and trade and of making the right kind of arrangements with the Community in the forthcoming negotiations? Is there not every indication that the Government will give in to EEC demands all along the line? There is no doubt that there is a need to take a very strong line in protecting our own generalised preference scheme and in the distribution of aid, particularly to Commonwealth countries.

Mr. Wood

I do not think history supports the right hon. Lady's gloomy predictions about the future. I am sure my right hon. and learned Friend is aware of these facts and he will do his best for this country and for the developing countries.

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