§ 123. Mr. M. MacPhersonasked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what is to be the scope of the inquiries of the group on development in the Commonwealth over which he presides.
§ Mr. FosterThe Working Party on Development set up by the Commonwealth Finance Ministers has now completed a first series of meetings. The scope of its inquiries were, as set out in the statement issued by the Conference of Commonwealth Finance Ministers on 21st January, to examine the opportunities for an early increase in the productive power of Commonwealth countries within the sterling area and the possibilities of matching available financial and technical resources with the enterprises most likely to achieve that purpose. The group took account both of the general development requirements of Commonwealth countries in the sterling area and their need for capital equipment, and of the possibilities of increasing their production of food, raw materials and other essential goods.