What import controls do for the other 750 million

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countries 1 In 1950 people in the poor countries were on average 24 times worse off than those in rich countries. In 1980 they were 43 times worse off.. arrested 69 of the leaders of the strike, unions linked to left-wing parties called a Troops and para-militaries are in control of the city. A number of people have been shot and wounded.

The manoeuvring leftist party leaders and their allies leading the unions are no doubt concerned to use the police strike against the government and probably to better their relations with a section of the state's repressive apparatus. The response to the general strike call, however, makes it clear that there is real labour movement strikers in what police seen as a test-case struggle against the government.

For the last seven months Bombay has also experienced India's longest mi s strike, by 250,000 textile workers.

Italy's government crisis has been resolved, with the restoration of exactly the same team as fell 17 days ago.

The Socialist Party with.

dre» from the government with the apparent intention of protoking a general election. but has now agreed to support a rontitnation ef the coaliion headed by Giovanni Spadolini of the Republican WORLD poverty is likely to get worse. That is the message of the new World Bank report published this week.

At present some 750 million people - one-third of the world's population -live in what the World Bank calls 'absolute poverty'. And it will get worse.

Income GNP per person (1980 dollars) Industrial countries Middle-income countries Low-income countries Average annual grouth (percent Industrial countries Middle-income countries Low-income countries 1950-00 The World Bank names protectionist policies by the richer countries - as well as the general recession - as reasons for pessimism. International bankers are hardly national exploitation, but on this point the World Bank is plainly right.

'950 1960 1980 ,580 0,660 1950 1,580 1980 1950 60-80 1980 1950 1980 GNP per person 0 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000 Middle-income countries Low-income As world capitalist competition becomes sharper, the weakest go to the wall first. One symptom of this is the escalating debt crisis of the poorer countries - highlighted this week by Mexico's desperate efforts to reschedule its debt.

The total outstanding debt of 'developing' coun5,000 tries reached $520 billion last year, as against $440 billion in 1980 and $68 billion in 1970. In real terms the debt has been growing by 10% a year, while 'devel oping' countries exports have grown only 4.6%.

So much for the idea that import controls for Britain would be a socialist policy.

6,000 7,000 8,000 9,000 10,000 Industrial hi.

Average annual growth, 1950-80 percent MiddieIndustrial income countries countries Low-income_ countries

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Socialist Organiser no. 97 August 26 1982 Page 5

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the people to give the most penetrating analysis of inter-