HL Deb 03 June 1981 vol 420 cc1340-1WA
Lord Brockway

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Who has been appointed head of the Interim Committee of the International Monetary Fund, and on what grounds the nomination of Sir Geoffrey Howe was opposed by the representatives of developing countries.

Lord Cockfield

The honourable Allan J. MacEachen, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of Canada, became chairman of the Interim Committee on 21st May in Libreville. The second part of the question does not reflect what occurred. There were two nominations, there was no formal vote and a number of constituencies expressed no preference. Only one or two representatives gave reasons for supporting a nomination, and in no case did a representative advance argument against the other nomination.