§ 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 were the conclusions of the United Nations conference on natural resources held at Tokyo from 25th March to 5th April 1975.
§ The PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE, FOREIGN and COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (Lord Goronwy-Roberts)My Lords, the Committee on Natural Resources adopted 11 resolutions mainly on technical subjects, which were remitted for approval by the Economic and Social Council at its summer session in July.
§ Lord BROCKWAYMy Lords, in thanking the Minister for his Answer may I ask him whether or not the conference dealt in particular with three subjects; namely, oil, water and minerals? In the case of oil, were any plans made for making it available for the developing countries? In the case of water, were any plans made for the desert areas; and in the case of minerals were any plans made for co-operation with the developing countries in the exploitation of their minerals?
§ Lord GORONWY-ROBERTSMy Lords, all those important questions were covered and there was a general consensus by all the countries which took part. As a result, a report will be made to the Economic and Social Council. I could not indicate what the recommendations will be, but the report will indicate the sense of the conference. Of 180 course, the substantive talks will take place in the United Nations.
§ Lord BROCKWAYMy Lords, is their report to be published, and when is it likely that it will be considered by the Economic and Social Council?
§ Lord GORONWY-ROBERTSMy Lords, I expect that the report will be published, but I could not say when publication will take place.