asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if any explanation was offered by the US delegate to the recent UN world conference on disarmament for the non-appearance of President Carter at the conference.

: The answer to the question is in the negative. The level of representation of member states at the present United Nations Special Session on Disarmament, as at any other international conference, is entirely a matter for each individual state. No question of an explanation arises.

: Question No. 23 has been answered by written reply.