§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what matters in regard to the protection of the environment were discussed at the International Monetary Fund annual meeting and the meeting of G7 Finance Ministers recently held in Bangkok.
§ Mr. MaplesProtection of the environment was one of many issues discussed at a series of recent meetings in Bangkok. The development committee of the World bank and IMF, which met on 14 October, agreed that actions to protect the environment were essential to both the priority development objectives for the nineties: the reduction of poverty and the achievement of sustainable growth. My right hon. Friend's speech noted that industrial and developing countries alike have a collective responsibility for our environment and that global action is required. He expressed strong support for the global environment facility as the channel through which common interest in this issue can be addressed.