HC Deb 02 June 1980 vol 985 c579W
Mr. McNamara

asked the Lord Privy Seal what action the British Government are taking to implement recommendation 861 of the Council of Europe.

Sir Ian Gilmonr

A working party was set up by the Committee of Ministers in accordance with resolution 861 of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and reported to the Committee of Ministers at its 66th session on 10 April. The relevant passage in the final communique agreed by the Ministers reads as follows' With regard to balanced development in Europe the Ministers decided that the Council should henceforth play a more active role as an instrument of European democratic solidarity in order to reduce the economic and social imbalances between member states. To this end the Ministers were in favour of making greater use of the medium-term plan of intergovernmental activities of the Council of Europe and reinforcing the Resettlement Fund, while not excluding examination of other means.'

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