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The sinister for National Development,

Mr David i'airbairn, is to visit France and Britain next

month.

The visit to France, at the invitation of the

Trench Government, will be from June 1st to June 16th.

.r Fairbairn said today that France was looking

for closer ties with :.ustralia and had sent delegations seeking

increased French investment, participation in the development

field and greater trade between the two countries.

During his visit, i. r Pairbair n will meet

Ministers and officials of the Trench Government,

industrialists nd bankers.

Among the people he is scheduled to meet are

the Minister for -`oreign affairs, M. Debre, the Minister

for Industry, N. Bettencourt, the Minister of Economics

and Finance, B. Ortoli, and the Minister in charge of

Scientific Research, :atomic and apace ifairs, N. Galley.

1 The main purpose of these talks will be to

explain the development prospects in Australia and

to discuss further opp ortunities for increasing French

participation in development projects in Australia,"

Mr Fairbairn said.

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I will also be having talks with the French Atomic

Energy Commission and plan to visit some nuclear

installations."

In London he will have a round of talks with

officials and experts of the United Kingdom Atomic

Energy Commission.

i:ir Pairbairn emphasised that his overseas visits

were for fact—finding and an exchange of information.

'. 1. y trip is in no way connected with the possible

purchase of nuclear power stations," Mr Pairbairn said.

"However, with the prospect of nuclear power

coming closer in Australia, it will be valuable for me as

the Federal Liinister responsible for atomic energy, to

study at first—hand the latest developments in this field

in Britain and ranee."

The L=inister Wiil also -Lake the opportunity to

study the progress of the European Economic Community and

European affairs generally during his overseas visits.

25 MAY 1969

