§ 2.44 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 the Ottawa Conference of Commonwealth economic experts have made towards a new international economic order (to close the gap between rich and poor nations) in their Interim Report to the Commonwealth Finance and other Ministers who are to meet in Guyana this month.
§ The PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY of STATE, FOREIGN and COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (Lord Goronwy-Roberts)My Lords, as the noble Lord has stated, the Interim Report of the Commonwealth Experts Group is to be considered by the Commonwealth Finance Ministers at their meeting in Georgetown later this month. It would not therefore be appropriate for me to make known the proposals contained in the Report at this stage.
§ Lord BROCKWAYMy Lords, I thank the Minister. In view of the importance of this subject which may dominate the world during the coming year, may we have an assurance that even during the Recess a Report from the Guyana meeting of the Finance Ministers will be made public?
§ Lord GORONWY-ROBERTSMy Lords, it will be a matter for the meeting of the Commonwealth Finance Ministers to decide; but I will bear in mind my noble friend's suggestion.