§ 2.31 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 were the conclusions of the discussions of the World Food Council at Rome and what proposals were made or supported by the British delegation.
§ Baroness LLEWELYN-DAVIES of HASTOEMy Lords, the Council endorsed the report of its May preparatory meeting and referred the recommendations to the United Nations and Member States for consideration. Her Majesty's Government will co-operate fully with the Secretary-General of the United Nations and the President of the World Food Council who are charged with closing the gap between the target for the International Fund for Agricultural Development and the already pledged total contribution, which of course includes our own.
§ Lord BROCKWAYMy Lords, while thanking the Minister for that reply, may I ask her whether she can say something about these recommendations? For example, did the Council consider proposals for increasing the food supplies of the world, such as fertilising the 768 deserts—which is now possible—and farming the oceans? Did it consider practical proposals of that kind ?
§ Baroness LLEWELYN-DAVIES of HASTOEYes, indeed, my Lords. The Council considered practical measures. On fertilisers, we consider that their effective use is one of the key factors in increasing food production. Some of the resolutions from the Group of 77 came up rather too late for acceptance, but they have been passed to the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. Note was taken of them and they have been passed on for consideration.
§ Lord BROCKWAYMy Lords, is it the case that the Group of 77 proposed that reserve stocks should be created not merely to stabilise prizes but to meet droughts and the danger of famines? If so, what view was taken with regard to that proposal?
§ Baroness LLEWELYN-DAVIES of HASTOEMy Lords, as always, my noble friend has asked me the most difficult question of the lot. The whole question of food stocks, though absolutely vital, is complicated because different views are taken about how it should be done. Stabilisation of prices is of enormous importance and Her Majesty's Government played a very constructive part in all this. The Council urged an annual food aid target of 10 million tons, but we believe that food stocks are more important, and not only to cover emergencies. Quite how this will be done will need to be worked out in the different international bodies.
§ Baroness EMMET of AMBERLEYMy Lords, may I ask the noble Baroness whether the importance of fish farming was brought forward at the Conference?
§ Baroness LLEWELYN-DAVIES of HASTOEYes, my Lords; the noble Baroness will be delighted to know that it was considered and approved of.