HC Deb 18 January 1968 vol 756 c671W
Mr. Bryant Godman Irvine

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what was the result of the study made by the United Nations Development Programme of the recommendations of the Tripartite Economic Survey of the Eastern Caribbean of April, 1966; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Oram:

The United Nations Development Programme was requested to study the possibility of establishing a Caribbean Development Bank, which was one of the recommendations of the Tripartite Economic Survey of the Eastern Caribbean. A mission appointed by the U.N.D.P. to undertake the study reported at the end of July, 1967, setting out proposals for such a Bank.

The mission's report was accepted in principle by the Commonwealth Caribbean Governments at a meeting in October to which Britain, the United States and Canada sent representatives.

Detailed discussions about the establishment of the Bank have subsequently been held between the interested Governments, and a meeting of legal experts was held in New York last week to prepare a draft charter for the Bank for consideration by the Governments concerned. This has not yet been received.