asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether the recent preparatory meeting of UNCTAD at Minister level has completed preparations for a further full meeting on the Common Fund; and whether he will make a statement on the progress of negotiations on the Common Fund.

There was no substantial discussion of the Common Fund at the meeting, at ministerial level, of the UNCTAD Trade and Development Board on 6th to 11th March. Informal consultations are, however, in progress on the possibility of resuming the negotiations on the Common Fund. The Commonwealth ministerial meeting in London on 13th-14th April may have improved the prospects for such a resumption.