§ 63. Colonel Beamishasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the recent meeting in Addis Ababa of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, with particular reference to the form and amount of economic aid that can be expected in 1959 by British Territories in the African Continent.
29W
§ Mr. ProfumoThe United Nations Economic Commission for Africa held its First Session in Addis Ababa from 29th December to 6th January. I led the United Kingdom Delegation. Most of the British Territories in Africa were separately represented in their capacity as Associate Members of the Commission, and made a real contribution to the discussions. The main business at this inaugural meeting was to settle questions of procedure and organisation and to decide the Commission's initial work programme. The meeting got off to a good start and I believe the programme it adopted for 1959 is a sound and constructive one. I have every hope that the Commission will render valuable services to the Governments in Africa in their efforts to promote economic development.
The Commission will not be a source of funds for development. Its functions are essentially consultative and advisory. It will undertake studies of the possibilities of closer co-operation in economic matters in Africa, for instance, and in the field of statistics, and a variety of other subjects; it may also give advice where requested in the formulation of development plans.