asked the Minister of Overseas Development what initiative she is taking towards the establishment of a World Development Authority.

None yet, Sir.

Does not the Minister remember her fiery and crusading speech in the House in February, when she envisaged a world authority giving much increased aid and subsidised by a world income tax? As she then said that this would be given priority if the Labour Party came to power, should not the right hon. Lady now be giving a lead to the United Nations? [Interruption.]

I certainly remember that speech. It was an excellent speech. I am glad that the hon. Member has studied it with special care and, apparently, approves its contents. The establishment of a World Development Authority is, of course, a very long-term initiative and it is one that would have to be considered in the light of the recent United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, which has been a new development since I made that speech. In the meantime, however, the very establishment of this Ministry, which enables us both to plan more effectively our own internal aid and to establish more effective relationships with other donor countries and with United Nations agencies in this field, is a most useful step in this direction.