European Free Trade Association

47.

Mr. Slater
asked the Lord Privy Seal what is the size of the European Free Trade Association secretariat in Geneva; how many British nationals are employed therein; and what proportion of the annual budget is met by Great Britain.

Mr. Heath
The present staff of the Secretariat of the European Free Trade Association numbers thirty-nine of whom fifteen are British nationals. The United Kingdom pays 30 per cent. of the annual budget.

Mr. Slater
Are our financial commitments on a par with those of other members of E.F.T.A.?

Mr. Heath
The percentage was worked out on the share of intra-O.E.E.C. trade. That formed the basis for the contributions as between the seven members of E.F.T.A.