asked the Minister for External Affairs whether the Government accepts Resolution No. 443 on European scientific and technological co-operation which was adopted by the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe on 20 April 1970; and whether they are prepared to support the Assembly's request to convoke in the near future a Conference of Ministers of Technology.
Written Answers. - Technology Conference.
341.
Resolution No. 443 of the Consultative Assembly on European scientific and technical co-operation did not call for any action by the committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. However, as the Deputy is probably aware, the question of the organisation of a European conference of Ministers responsible for science and technology was raised during the recent session of the consultative assembly. In his reply, the representative of the chairman of the committee of Ministers said that, in view of the fairly recent OECD and UNESCO conferences and in view of the very considerable preparation required for such meetings, the committee did not feel that another ministerial conference on science and technology need be organised at this time. The Government agree with this view.