§ Mr. Stuart Hollandasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the progress of the negotiations on the third Lomé convention.
§ Mr. RaisonThe fifth ministerial negotiating conference was held in Brussels from 9 to 12 October. Most outstanding issues under negotiation with the African Caribbean and Pacific states (ACP) were resolved. However, it was not possible to conclude negotiations as the ACP rejected the Community's decision to provide 7 billion ecu for the sixth European development fund and also withheld agreement on a limited number of other points. A further meeting between the Community and ACP co-chairmen is planned for 7 November in Brussels, at which it is hoped all the outstanding issues can be resolved. The way will then be clear for signing in Lomé in early December.