Since the opening of the Fifth Ordinary Session of the Assembly, the Standing Committee has held five meetings, which took place on the following dates : 15th September, 1953, prior to the opening of the third part of the Session of the Assembly ; 26th September, 1953, after the close of the Session ; 8th February, 1954 ; 18th and 19th May, 1954, prior to the opening of the Sixth Ordinary Session of the Assembly.
At its meeting- of 26th September, 1953, the Standing Committee, in accordance with Rule 46, paragraph 2, of the Rules of Procedure, appointed six members to represent the Assembly on the Joint Committee. In addition to M. de Menthon, ex officio Chairman, the following-Representatives have sat on that Committee : MM. Montini, van der Goes van Naters, Kapani, Lnetkens, Robens and Wistrand.
At its meeting of 8th February, 1954, the Standing Committee fixed the opening of the Sixth Ordinary Session of the Assembly for . 10 a.m. on Thursday, 20th May, so that the Joint Meeting might talie place in the afternoon and evening of the same day.
At the instance of the Foreign Ministers of the " Six ", the Standing Committee appointed a delegation to maintain contact with the Committee for a European Political Community. The six members of the delegation were : MM. Amery, Bohy, Lord .Laytön, MM. Guy Mollet, Struye and Wistrand. A fruitful exchange of views between this delegation and the Committee for the European Political Com: munity took place in Paris on 24th February, 1954.
In accordance with Rule 15, paragraph 3, of the Rules of Procedure, the Standing Committee examined at its meeting of 15th September, 1953, two requests for inclusion submitted during the. recess :
Doc. 173 : Enquiry into the national or international bodies connected with local government and examination of the best means whereby these .bodies and the local authorities themselves may help in the propagation of. the European idea.
Doc. 174 : Establishment of a European fund for inter-municipal assistance under the auspices of the Council of Europe.
The Committee placed both questions on the Agenda of the Assembly, which later referred them to - the Special Committee on Municipal and Regional Affairs (see Fifth Session: 16th Sitting, 18th September, 1953).
At its meeting of 8th February, 1954, the Standing Committee examined the request for inclusion of the following question (Doc. 222) : Discussion on the joint efforts to be made by Western Europe to put its trade in the East on a normal basis. This question was included in the Agenda of the Assembly which, in accordance with Rule 39, paragraph 4, of the Rules of Procedure, referred it to the Committee on Economic Questions, and also the Committee on General Affairs for an opinion. The Standing Committee also referred to the Committee on Rules of Procedure, in connection with the establishment of an Accounts Committee, previously placed before it, Resolution (53) 38 of the Committee of Ministers (see Sixth Session, 1954 : Doc. 220) for consideration.
At its meeting on 19th May, 1954, the Standing Committee examined one request for inclusion submitted since the close of the Fifth Session of the Assembly, namely :
Doc. 227 : Steps to be taken to promote exchange visits of members of local authorities in various European countries.
The above questions have been placed on the Agenda of the Assembly and referred to the Special Committee on municipal and regional affairs.