HC Deb 03 March 1949 vol 462 cc68-9W
Mr. J. Morrison

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the establishment of the eight-Power Consultative Group of the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation.

Mr. McNeil

On 16th February the Committee of Nine Ministers, set up by the Council of O.E.E.C. of 16th October to review the structure of the Organisation, recommended to the Council that the Chairman, Monsieur Spaak, should invite each of the Governments of the countries represented on the Executive Committee (United Kingdom, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, Turkey and Switzerland) to delegate a Minister to consult with him from time to time on the important decisions which the Organisation would be called upon to take, and on the general progress of its work.

This recommendation was approved by the Council on 17th February, and the first meeting of the new Group took place on 18th February. It was then agreed that Monsieur Spaak should invite each Government on the Consultative Group to nominate a Minister to represent them at further meetings. It was also decided that in addition to Ministers, the official Chairman of the Council and the Executive Committee and the Secretary-General should attend the meetings of the Group. The meetings of the Group will be held in private and their proceedings will not be made public except by official agreed announcements. Furthermore, it is expected that the Group will meet at fairly frequent intervals as the tasks confronting it are important and urgent.

The next meeting of the Consultative Group will be held on 4th March—His Majesty's Government will be represented on the Group by my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

The Consultative Group, being an extension of the functions of the Chairman of the Council, does not in any way affect the Constitution of O.E.E.C. as laid down in the Convention for European Economic Co-operation of 16th April, 1948 (Cmd. 7388). The Council remains the supreme body of the Organisation, by which all decisions must be taken.

In the view of His Majesty's Government the direct association of Ministers with the work of O.E.E.C. at a time when policy questions of the highest importance are under consideration will enhance the authority and effectiveness of the Organisation.