HC Deb 16 March 1979 vol 964 cc349-51W
Mr. Hoyle

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what discussions she is currently engaged in with the EEC Commission on matters for which she is responsible; and, in particular, if she will give a detailed breakdown of each topic under discussion, with special reference to EEC proposals, actual or envisaged, and their status in the Community's legislative machinery.

Mrs. Hart

I am engaged, together with my officials, in discussing a range of aid matters with the Commission and our Community partners. The principal ones are:

The working of the Lomé Convention, and in particular the consideration of indicative aid programmes and proposals for projects in the ACP states, and member States' dependencies, to be financed from the fourth European Development Fund (EDF). These proposals are presented by the Commission to the EDF committee which is composed of representatives from the Nine. In addition, we maintain regular informal contacts with Directorate General VIII of the Commission overseas on all aspects of the Community's financial and technical co-operation with the ACP countries, and play an active part in the current negotiations on the arrangements to succeed the Lomé Convention.

Mediterranean Financial Protocols. Under the agreements which have recently been concluded between the Community and Greece, Turkey, Cyprus, the Lebanon, Portugal, Malta, the Maghreb and the Mashraq, aid will be provided to assist economic and social development. We have been engaged in discussions to establish appropriate administrative machinery for consideration of project proposals and have participated in two ad hoc meetings to consider projects proposed by the Commission.

Aid to Non-Associated Developing Countries. I have been active in securing substantial increases in the level of Community aid to non-associated developing countries, and in concentrating this assistance on the poorest countries, particularly in Asia, although I am not yet satisfied with progress in this direction. The adoption of a draft regulation establishing the present ad hoc programme on a more satisfactory continuing basis awaits agreement between the Assembly and the Council over the question of procedures to be adopted for disputed projects.

Food Aid. Commission document 4318/79 introduces draft legislation giving force to the aim that Community food aid should be developmentally orientated. It proposes delegation of the allocations, and of logistical and emergency arrangements, to the Commission from the existing Council group, and the establishment of a management committee to assist the Commission.

Following the adjournment in February of the UNCTAD negotiations on a new international grains agreement, discussions are proceeding with a view to extending the present 1971 Food Aid Convention. The Commission has proposed that the volume of Community food aid in cereals and butteroil should be increased as part of the CAP price review for 1979/80.

North/South Dialogue. Member States regularly co-ordinate their views within the Community on a wide range of issues falling under this head. My Department plays a full part in this process on matters for which I am primarily responsible. At the moment, the Community's main attention here is concentrated upon the forthcoming fifth general conference of UNCTAD, which will be held in Manila in May.