asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the proce- dure which it is intended to adopt in connection with the discussions for the revision of the Congo Basin treaties?

The whole question of the attitude to be adopted by His Majesty's Government and the procedure to be followed in these discussions are still under consideration by the interested Departments, and I am not in a position to make a statement at present.

Will the right hon. Gentleman expedite that consideration, because the matter is becoming rather urgent?

The hon. Member knows that, where there are a number of Departments concerned, it is not easy to expedite decisions.