HC Deb 18 June 1953 vol 516 cc86-7W
Mr. Hollis

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what action Her Majesty's Government propose to take in connection with the Productivity Agency to be established by the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation.

Mr. Nutting

In accordance with the undertaking given under the arrangements for the expenditure of counterpart funds derived from United States economic aid (Command 8776, paragraph 3 (f)), Her Majesty's Government propose to join this Agency, which has now been constituted, and to contribute to it the sterling equivalent of 720,000 dollars, of which one-third may be convertible into the currency of any member country of the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation. Provision for this expenditure will be included in a Supplementary Estimate to be presented shortly, and meanwhile an advance will be made from the Civil Contingencies Fund.