asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development if he will make a statement about the policy of the British delegation at the United Nations Trade and Development Conference to the draft resolution put forward by 75 developing countries for permanent machinery for continuing the work of the conference.

Her Majesty's Government cannot accept the resolution to which the hon. Member refers but are working for a solution to the question of arrangements for further consultation on matters under discussion at the conference.

Since the British rôle at Geneva at this conference has been a distinctly constructive one and since our delegation is well placed to give a lead during this important and crucial week, will the Minister urge his right hon. Friend who is now in Geneva to take a resolute stand on this question? While not accepting the actual terms of the resolution referred to in the Question, will he do all he can to make sure that there is some permanent machinery which takes full note of the needs of developing countries?

My right hon. Friend will be grateful for what the hon. Member rightly said about the constructive lead we have given, particularly in the early part of this discussion. He will know, from the detailed information he has been given, that we have certain views on this matter. We think that G.A.T.T. is the most effective instrument for dealing with international trade negotiations, but it might well be possible and right to make new arrangements of a certain kind for this discussion and we certainly hope that this conference will reach a successful conclusion. I know that my right hon. Friend is working extremely hard with the delegation in Geneva to that end and I am sure that the House will wish him every success.

Does the Minister of State agree that this conference, which we have not much discussed in this House, is exceedingly important, and can he assure us that the British delegation will do its utmost to see that at any rate some positive results are achieved?

The answer to the first part of the right hon. Gentleman's supplementary question is certainly "Yes, Sir". I have just returned from East Africa and, when there, I was struck by the discussions I had with Ministers and the importance which so many countries attach to this matter. I also found great satisfaction with the constructive attitude Britain has taken. The right hon. Gentleman can be entirely assured that if there is anything we can do to make the conference a final success, we will do it.