§ 38. Mr. Colemanasked the Lord Privy Seal if he will make a statement on the objectives of the United Kingdom Government which they hope to pursue during their Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe which is due to begin on 19 November.
§ Mr. Humphrey AtkinsHer Majesty's Government continue to attach great importance to the Council of Europe. In particular, it serves a useful purpose in bringing together the Ten and the non-Ten member States of Democratic Europe at ministerial, parliamentary and official level. It has proved a valuable forum for exchanges of views on CSCE matters and as Presidency we shall seek to enhance the Council's political importance by encouraging discussion of other major current topics.
The Secretary-General of the Council will be visiting this country early in the new year as the guest of Her Majesty's Government.
Her Majesty's Government will continue to support activities of the Council of Europe in the fields of human rights, social affairs, education, culture and sport, youth, public health, regional and municipal matters, regional planning and legal affairs.