10. The Assembly :
11. Believes that the consolidation and development of economic and monetary cooperation within the framework of OECD is of vital importance as a means of promoting the partnership of the Atlantic nations and meeting their world economic responsibilities ;
12. Notes with satisfaction that in 1963 growth rates in OECD member countries were on the whole in conformity with the target set in 1961, and that the signs of a slackening of economic activity prevalent a year ago had disappeared, but considers that there is no room for complacency and believes that Governments should formulate national plans based on medium-term forecasts of demand and production developments ;
13. Notes that several European member countries are experiencing difficulties in combating inflationary pressures and that in practically all of them prices continue to move upwards, expresses concern with regard to the socially and economically undesirable effects of this persistent trend, and believes that more energetic policies than hitherto applied are necessary to arrest it and restore balance, particularly in those countries where price rises have been most marked ;
14. Notes with great interest the conclusions contained in the report on prices, profits and other non-wage incomes within the framework of an incomes policy, but also notes that Governments still appear to be very hesitant with regard to such a policy ; realising that much remains to be done to educate public opinion on this subject - a task it will itself strive to contribute to - the Assembly earnestly hopes that Governments will patiently pursue their co-operation in this field ;
15. Notes with great satisfaction that OECD is conscious of the need to facilitate the reconversion of productive resources which may become necessary as the repercussions of trade and aid policies start to make themselves felt in the form of expansion of trade involving greater imports from the less developed countries ; attaching a very high priority to this activity, earnestly hopes that Governments will develop and implement the appropriate structural re-organisation and re-orientation policies so as to facilitate this development ;
16. Notes with great interest that OECD recognises the importance of scientific research and development as a prime factor in economic growth.
17. The Assembly considers :
18. That it is highly desirable in the interest of world peace that both American and European aid to developing countries, which is still insufficient, should be in-creased in the next few years and, in particular, that Europe's contribution should match its growing economic power ;
19. That the member Governments of OECD, while accepting the Yaoundé Convention of Association between EEC and the African States and Madagascar, should jointly examine all measures which could give manufactured, semi-manufactured, and mineral and agricultural primary products from the developing countries easier access to their national markets ; further, that the Governments should envisage, with a view to a better division of work in the world, the adjustment, in their home countries, of certain industries of a kind which could be established more economically in the developing countries ;
20. That the Development Assistance Committee should make proposals concerning the measures needed to harmonise the terms of aid in such a way that they are not too heavy on the recipient countries and do not differ unduly as between the assisting countries ; and that it should try and find a solution to the problem of the excessive indebtedness of developing countries ;
21. That the member Governments of OECD should agree to introduce a more systematic supervision of aid and, in particular, give a group of experts the task of scrutinising the effectiveness with which the money provided for technical assistance and other forms of aid is spent ;
22. That the member Governments of OECD should support the proposal made at the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development that the Conference should hold meetings every three years to compare the views of the industrial countries with those of the developing countries.
23. The Assembly is concerned at the fact that certain developments in the agricultural sector have continued to add to the difficulties encountered in achieving a higher degree of international economic co-operation in Europe as well as in the GATT negotiations ; it hopes that the tendency towards a closer integration of OECD's work in the agricultural sphere with the Organisation's activities concerning economic stability and growth may continue and be strengthened, believing that an alignment of agricultural and general economic policies is indispensable if the difficulties referred to above are to be resolved.
24. The Assembly welcomes the Study of Low Incomes in Agriculture which goes to the heart of the agricultural problem ; it strongly endorses the findings of this study and urges Governments to commit themselves to taking the appropriate action to carry out its policy implications ; it stresses the need for a phased programme for completion of structural improvements and manpower reduction.
25. Noting with concern the inadequacy of many agricultural statistics, both as regards farming incomes and labour force, the Assembly urges Governments to make improvements in this field ; inter alia such improvements should be on a readily comparable basis and enable Governments, in determining their agricultural policies, to give fuller consideration to the fact that many farmers derive part of their income from other sources than agriculture, and should make it easier for Governments to formulate a comprehensive policy relating farm types and sizes to farm incomes.
26. The Assembly welcomes OECD's programme of work which gives priority to studies and activities which have an immediate connection with the Study on Low Incomes ; it also attaches great importance to the envisaged studies on production, demand, trade, incomes and population and to the Organisation's activities in the field of marketing and education, as well as to the regular consultations on trade practices.
27. It once more stresses the importance of an adequate and vigorous information and education policy concerning changes in agricultural structures and their effects on agricultural employment and per capita income.
28. The Assembly resolves to use its best endeavours to spread the new thinking reflected in the Study of Low Incomes with a view to changing the restrictive attitudes still prevailing in many quarters.
29. The Assembly also welcomes OECD's work on fishing matters ; it recalls its Resolution 263 in support of the London Fisheries Conference, transmitted to OECD for information, and expresses its desire that OECD may be associated as closely as possible with the work of this Conference.
30. The Assembly :
31. Hopes that the increase in the membership of the Organisation, which now includes almost all of the industrial countries of the free world, may be profitable to all Contracting Parties, and that special attention may be given to the social problems of the less privileged countries of Europe ;
32. Is of the opinion that efforts should be made :
either vocational training for foreign manpower,
or the removal of industries to regions possessing a manpower potential. This could be accomplished in collaboration with the Special Representative of the Council of Europe for National Refugees and Over-Population.
33. The Assembly :
34. Congratulates OECD on its efforts to define the principles of a policy for science, both national and international ;
35. Emphasises that such a policy must not be prompted solely by utilitarian and economic reasons, but must give due consideration to the needs of free and disinterested research, the humanities and social sciences ;
36. Regards the 2nd Parliamentary and Scientific Conference, jointly organised by the Council of Europe and OECD, as the type of event best fitted to serve this cause, and undertakes to contribute towards implementing the Recommendations of the said Conference.