§ Mr. John H. Osbornasked the Lord Privy Seal on how many occasions since he took office there have been scientific ministerial meetings of the Council of Europe; what has been the British representation on each occasion; what have been the main issues reviewed; what discussion there has been so far on the issues raised at the fifth 302W Parliamentary and Scientific Conference in Helsinki in June; and why research councils, institutes and agencies have not taken up invitations to attend this conference.
§ Mr. HurdThe Council of Europe has not organised a meeting of scientific Ministers since this Government took office. Issues raised at the fifth Parliamentary and Scientific Conference have previously been discussed in other fora such as the OECD and the European Community and are being kept under review as appropriate by Government departments. It is for individual organisations themselves to decide whether they wish to be represented at international meetings.