§ 2.36 p.m.
§ LORD BROCKWAYMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government what proposals were made by the United Kingdom delegation to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development at Delhi, and what conclusions to assist the developing countries were reached by the conference.]
§ THE MINISTER OF STATE, BOARD OF TRADE (LORD BROWN)My Lords, the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards the UNCTAD in New Delhi was outlined by my right honourable friend the President of the Board of Trade in his speech to the Conference on February 6, the text of which has been placed in the Library. The Conference is not scheduled to end until March 25. It is not possible, therefore, to give an answer to the second part of the Question.
§ LORD BROCKWAYMy Lords, while I appreciate my noble friend's reply, may I ask him this question? In view of the rather disappointing proceedings at the Conference in New Delhi, and of the very great urgency of trying to find some solution to the poverty of one third of the world, would Her Majesty's Government consider, as an alternative, consultations between the International Monetary Bank, the United Nations Special Development Fund, and Agencies of the United Nations such as the Food and Agriculture Organisation directly with the countries concerned, so that we may be saved from the disaster of world hunger in the next decade?
§ LORD BROWNMy Lords, I certainly take note of my noble friend's suggestion. But I would point out that the kind of measures which are required by the current situation or—may I put it this way?—the "haves" or "have-nots" is essentially a matter for wide international agreement, if anything is to be achieved.