asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what measures the Government have taken since October, 1964, to advance further the development of international co-operation in scientific research; and what new international projects Great Britain has joined as a result of the Government's efforts.

The Government have agreed to participate in the Intersecting Storage Rings Project at the C.E.R.N. laboratory in Geneva, aimed at increasing the effective power of the existing equipment; they have offered to C.E.R.N. for evaluation, though without commitment, a site in Norfolk for the construction of a 300 GeV, accelerator; they have joined the International Agency for Research on Cancer; and they are now preparing to participate in the initial phase of the International Biological Programme.

The right hon. Gentleman's announcement with regard to facilities offered in this country to C.E.R.N. will be greatly welcomed in all quarters of the House. What are the Government's views on the proposal by Lord Florey, retiring president of the Royal Society, that we should encourage further international co-operation on a division of labour basis at, in his phrase, centres of excellence? Will the Government consider this in their future policy?

I thought that Lord Florey's speech was full of good sense on this matter and I strongly endorse the general line of argument. One must add the proviso, however, that these ventures in international co-operation must be generally economical in terms of resources.