§ 3.18 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 decisions were made at the E.E.C. meeting of Heads of Government regarding proposals for debt relief to developing countries and price guarantees for their exports to be considered at the forthcoming North-South conference in Paris.
§ The MINISTER of STATE, FOREIGN and COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (Lord Goronwy-Roberts)My Lords, the European Council reaffirmed the importance it attaches to making a contribution to the economic development of the developing countries. However, we are in the middle of a negotiating conference and noble Lords will, I know, understand that I cannot at this stage elaborate on the details of our position and that of our Community partners.
§ Lord BROCKWAYMy Lords, is it not the case that a great part of the discussion at the EEC concerned the possible high charges for oil? Is it not now recognised that the prices for oil will largely depend on a much wider economic agreement with the developing countries? Is it not regrettable that the North-South conference in Paris is likely to be postponed, so preventing this matter from being dealt with urgently?
§ Lord GORONWY-ROBERTSYes, indeed, my Lords. Oil, and all other relevant economic factors bearing on the question of a more equitable and practicable relationship between North and South, as my noble friend has said, has been discussed. I have made available to the House as soon as possible—indeed it is printed in the Official Report published today—the Statement made by my right honourable friend the Prime Minister as a result of this meeting.
My Lords, as to the second and third points raised by my noble friend, it is unfortunately a fact, and perhaps natural, that various members of this Conference 420 on both sides—the Group of 8 and the Group of 19—have questions of emphasis which have not yet been resolved. It looks increasingly likely that the projected ministerial meeting of the 15th to 17th December may have to be postponed; but that, of course, may prove to be helpful to an agreed resolution at the end of the Conference.
§ Lord ELTONMy Lords, does the noble Lord the Minister agree that the disunity amongst the Western countries which became evident at the UNCTAD IV conference at Nairobi gave us great concern at the time, since it delayed the harmonisation of views between North and South, which many of us believe vital to the future security and stability of the world? Is he aware that it is most disturbing to hear that the differences are still unresolved, and this difficulty is likely to become more acute the longer a delay in finding a solution continues?
§ Lord GORONWY-ROBERTSMy Lords, I would not say they are likely to become more acute the longer the ministerial meeting is postponed. I would hope that the postponement—if it is decided to postpone the meeting, and I am not sure yet that it will be—will help to resolve the natural divergence of view that arises between partners, even friends and allies. This is inevitable, and should not cause us to despair of a successful outcome to this conference. As to what happened at the UNCTAD conference, this is perhaps another question. It may be that this conference will overtake some of the deficiencies of the Nairobiconference.
§ Lord GLADWYNMy Lords, is it not a fact that agreement was nearly reached on this subject at the meeting at the Hague a few days ago? Would it not be possible for the remaining small differences to be smoothed out now by the patient officials?
§ Lord GORONWY-ROBERTSYes, my Lords, it is quite possible. Discussions will continue. I am glad of the opportunity of assuring the House that in the next few weeks there will be continuing discussions with a view to resolving whatever differences may have arisen between various members of the conference. In view of what the noble Lord, Lord Elton, said, I should like to emphasise that these divergencies are not confined 421 to the Group of 8. There are two sides to the conference: the Group of 8, the developed countries, and the Group of 19, the developing countries. On a comprehensive and a complicated matter like this, both sides quite naturally come up with divergent views on this, that, or the other question. So I hope the House would not anticipate that this conference has struck serious difficulty. We are hoping very much that, when the ministerial meeting is convened, these differences will be found to be resolvable.
§ Lord BROCKWAYMy Lords, in view of the welcome statement in the City of London by my right honourable friend the Prime Minister, and his own Statement yesterday, may I ask my noble friend the Minister whether we could have an assurance that Her Majesty's Government are doing their utmost in these conferences to secure an agreement with the developing countries and are not in a minority in the EEC, which has been rather obstructive on this matter?
§ Lord GORONWY-ROBERTSMy Lords, I have endeavoured not to dilate upon details of divergence among members of the EEC. In view of the question of my noble friend Lord Brockway, I must assure the House that whatever divergence exists which may lead to a postponement of a decision, this does not lie at the threshold of the United Kingdom. As the whole House will recall, Her Majesty's Government—and not only this Government—over the years have made a positive contribution in all the fora concerned about these questions; for example, at the Kingston Conference, when the United Kingdom took a very useful and effective initiative.