HC Deb 25 July 1973 vol 860 cc1594-5
6. Mr. Luce

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the current position on Great Britain's application for observer status at the Organisation of American States.

The Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr. Julian Amery)

Our application for observer status failed to obtain enough votes to be considered at the General Assembly of the OAS in April this year.

It remains on the table for consideration at next year's assembly.

Mr. Luce

In view of the enormous fund of good will among many Latin American States towards Great Britain and the fact that other European Powers have observer status in the OAS, does my right hon. Friend agree that there would be positive advantages for Britain in having access to the Organisation of American States? Will he again press the application very hard?

Mr. Amery

I agree with my hon. Friend. We should have observer status, and we propose to leave the application on the table for consideration next year.

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