asked the Minister for Overseas Development whether he has now had further talks with EEC Development Ministers on the extension of EEC financial aid to non-Lomé developing countries; and if he will make a statement.

The last Council of EEC Development Ministers was on 13th October 1975. Since then I have had talks with Herr Bahr, the Federal German Minister for Economic Co-operation, which covered a number of topics including aid to non-associated countries.At the instigation of the European Parliament an appropriation of 20 million units of account for financial aid to non-associated countries has been included in the Community's budget for 1976; but the Council must agree on expenditure plans before disbursements can begin. For this and other reasons I am anxious for the Council to meet as soon as possible.