HC Deb 11 December 1956 vol 562 cc31-2W
73. Mr. Woodburn

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what are the respective institutions for mutual help, economic, military and political co-operation in which we participate with European countries and those which enlist in addition the co-operation of non-European countries with the code initials with which they are, respectively, commonly known; and whether he will consider issuing an annual White Paper to enable the public to keep informed of news which is expressed in terms of initials.

Mr. Dodds-Parker

Major European organisations with United Kingdom participation or association include the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation (O.E.E.C.), Western European Union (W.E.U.), The Council of Europe (which is not usually abbreviated into initials) and the European Coal and Steel Community (E.C.S.C.). Organisations in which Her Majesty's Government participate with both European and non-European countries are numerous, the best known, perhaps, being the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (N.A.T.O.).

As regards the second part of the Question I would invite the hon. Member's attention to the hand-book entitled "Western Co-operation" published by the Central Office of Information, a copy of which is available in the Library of the House.