§ Mr. Neubertasked the Lord Privy Seal if he will outline the outcome of the European Community Development Council meeting in Brussels on 3 November.
§ Mr. Neil MartenThe Council adopted a resolution on aid to agricultural production and food aid, setting out new and welcome guidelines to improve the effectiveness of Community aid in this sector and to avoid the negative effects of food aid. I am placing a copy of this resolution in the Library. The Council also considered proposals for a plan of action against world hunger: it agreed that the Community should provide help to developing countries in adopting and implementing food strategies and also, as a special immediate measure, additional food aid for the least developed countries.
The Council approved new procedures designed to enable the Community to respond quickly with help in emergencies. It considered draft guidelines for the 1982 programme of aid to non-associated developing countries and confirmed that the programme should be directed towards assisting the poorest countries and the most needy sections of the population.
The Council had an exchange of views on recent developments in the North-South dialogue. It agreed to 48W undertake further work on the energy needs of developing countries, trade promotion, and the role of women in development.