§ Mr. Spearingasked the Minister of Overseas Development what progress has been made by Her Majesty's Government in preparation for the United Nations Conference on Science and Technology for Development in 1979, and if views of non-governmental organisations will be taken into account.
§ Mr. TomlinsonThe Government have supported resolutions in the United Nations General Assembly calling for a United Nations conference on science and technology for development. We expect the conference to be focused on how science and technology can be applied effectively for social and economic development in the Third world. We are participating in all appropriate preparatory meetings for the conference. All Governments have been asked to present national papers for the conference and we propose that our own, a draft outline of which has already been prepared, should describe the variety and wealth of British scientific expertise which is available to developing countries and that it should include sections on priorities and problems in applying science and technology to development.
The resolutions adopted by the United Nations attach importance to the preparatory period leading up to the conference, and envisage the co-operation not only of intergovernmental organisations but also of non-governmental bodies concerned with science and technology for development. My Department has already received a number of inquiries, and I would welcome further approaches and offers of advice from such bodies in Britain.