asked the Secretary for Technical Co-operation if he will make a grant to the Community Development Clearing House sufficient to ensure its continuance.

I have nothing at present to add to the reply which I gave on 18th June to the hon. Member for Leyton (Mr. Sorensen).

Is the Minister aware that that reply is rather obscure? Is he satisfied with the present operation, and is he proposing that his Department should take over the work? If he is, does he appreciate that it will probably cost a great deal of money and that it is doubtful whether the work will be done?

I am sorry if my Answer is obscure, but discussions are going on and I am not in a position to add to it at the moment. I am certainly not dissatisfied with the present operation.

Is the Minister aware that the last Delhi conference on Commonwealth education, and presumably the next one in Ottawa will do the same, has laid great emphasis on adult education work and community development? Would it not be a great tragedy if his Department came to be associated with the death of this scheme which had such promising beginnings?

I would not like to be associated with anyone's death. One of the elements is to determine how much importance the developing countries which I am charged to help attach to this work.

Would not my right hon. Friend consider the claims on the money voted to his Department and consider the priorities put forward by the developing countries themselves on the money?

I am very glad that my hon. Friend has made that point, because this is my chief problem. I am charged to give the sort of help to the developing countries which they themselves say they most need.

asked the Secretary for Technical Co-operation what provision is made by Her Majesty's Government for subsequent checking on the long-term effectiveness of technical assistance schemes.

British Embassies and High Commissions keep under review the progress and results of our work. In addition, specialist advisers and other staff from my Department make frequent tours overseas.

Is there not a considerable danger that money and effort can be wasted unless students and experts are followed up by some very adequate machinery, and is not the machinery which the Minister has now described rather inadequate for this purpose? Ought we not to be thinking of some thing specifically arranged for this follow-up process?

We are keen on this, but we must remember that the people whose work we are being asked to check are people belonging to other independent countries, and therefore the matter must be proceded with carefully and according to their wishes and susceptibilities. We are increasingly helped by gaining experience in this work and also by an exchange of experience with other countries.

Has the Minister a regular arrangement by which people sent out by his Department on technical assistance schemes give a written report for his files and other interested bodies?

I am not sure that the Governments of other independent countries would like reports on matters in their countries written and recorded in our files. We must have co-operation and consultation which I think we are achieving, and I do not think that much money is being ineffectively used.

asked the Secretary for Technical Co-operation if he will make a statement on the arrangements he makes for technical assistance schemes to be integrated with grants of capital assistance made by Her Majesty's Government.

My Department maintains close contact with the other Departments concerned with the object of associating technical assistance with capital aid whenever this seems desirable.

Is the Minister aware that the Government prophesied that this year they would spend between £180 million and £220 million on overseas aid but that the figure has turned out to be £175 million, £5 million below the lowest estimate? Is not this because of the lack of integration of technical assistance and capital aid, and would it not be possible to do this more effectively if they were integrated, and we cannot integrate them till we have a Ministry which plans overseas spending and coordinates developments?

The figure of £175 million happens to be a record figure and illustrates the extremely rapid rate of expenditure over recent years. I do not believe it would have been any more or at a greater rate if there had been the Ministry to which the hon. Member referred.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that we perfectly understand that Members opposite are very anxious to increase the number of Ministries, while we believe that the work of my right hon. Friend's Department at the moment is being perfectly effectively carried out without the addition of new Ministries?

I would certainly agree that a Ministry with a grandiose title does nothing of itself and is merely the answer when one has no other policy.

asked the Secretary for Technical Co-operation what arrangements exist between his department and the Agency for International Development in the United States of America for consultation on ways of overcoming jointly the problems of technical assistance to developing countries.

Consultation with the Agency for International Development is close and continuous. It is maintained on a day-to-day basis through the Agency's Liaison Office at the U.S. Embassy in London. In addition, there are frequent exchanges of visits between London and Washington and close contact between our representatives and A.I.D. missions overseas.

Is it not becoming increasingly clear that there should be co-ordination of the various national efforts of developed countries in addition to those undertaken through the agencies of the United Nations? Could the right hon. Gentleman assure us that this aspect is being looked after?

The "Teachers for East Africa" scheme is an outstanding example of such joint organisation.

asked the Secretary for Technical Co-operation whether he is aware that pensioners of oversea local authorities, who were recruited in the United Kingdom by the Crown Agents or were transferred from Government Service and have since retirement been paid a pension from overseas public funds through the Crown Agents, are being denied the increases of pensions authorised by the Pensions (Increase) Act, 1962; and whether he will correct this anomaly.

The Pensions (Increase) Act, 1962, passed by Parliament eighteen months ago, which extended these benefits for the first time to overseas civil servants, provides for supplements to the pensions of members of H.M.O.C.S. and their dependants, to officers designated under the Overseas Service Aid Scheme, and to other officers recruited by a Secretary of State or the Crown Agents to posts in central government service overseas. Legislation to change this is not contemplated.

Is it not a very grave injustice to this small minority? These men were recruited and received their pension under the same instrument as the others who are receiving supplements under the Act, yet the Act itself will preclude the overseas Governments from themselves initiating any supplement to these pensions. Therefore, these men, merely because they have been asked by Her Majesty and the Governor of the Colony to give service to the local authorities, are being put in an unfair position.

I will study what my right hon. Friend says, but there has always been a distinction between in our overseas territories before independence and in independent countries since, and between those who work for the central Government and those who work for local government and statutory bodies. That state of affairs is not confined to overseas pensions. The direct use of Exchequer funds to supplement pensions outside the central Government service, whether at home or abroad, would introduce an entirely new principle in pensions increase legislation.

While one has every sympathy for these officials, is it not strange that the Act should be extended to people overseas but not to railway superannuitants?

That is another question and not one for me.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that there are special circumstances in this case? Will he have as much flexibility as possible in considering this matter?

I have said that the present legislation does not allow it, and I must tell the House frankly that no change in that legislation is contemplated.

asked the Secretary for Technical Co-operation what assistance his Department has given to the Government of Hong Kong in the recruitment of an Assistant Director of Social Welfare.

My Department advertised the forthcoming vacancy. Applications are now being considered by the Government of Hong Kong.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this advertisement specifies that the applicant must be a male? Is he further aware that the qualifications required for the post are experience in family and child welfare, youth work, care of old people and social welfare generally? Is it not clear that women are exceptionally well qualified for this kind of post? Is it not outrageous that sex discrimination of this kind should operate in a British Colony? Will his Department refuse to give assistance in future if such discrimination is involved?

I am sure that we should not refuse to give assistance of this kind. It is for the Governments in these territories to decide what they want. We have no prejudice against as many ladies as possible doing technical assistance work. I will make sure that the hon. Lady's views are conveyed to the Governor. Perhaps she and other hon. Ladies may pay him a persuasive visit.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the Government of Hong Kong employ many women, take great trouble to recruit them, and have done so for many years?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this is not the first example of sex discrimination by the Hong Kong Government, who refuse to operate the principle of equal pay in their service? Is it not a matter of direct interest to the right hon. Gentleman's Department that there should be a willingness to take advantage of all kinds of experience by either sex from whatever quarter in the great fight to lift social standards in backward areas?

I agree with the hon. Lady's statement about the general position. Later on I shall make clear, I hope, that we want more women to help us with important work overseas.

asked the Secretary for Technical Co-operation how many British people were recruited in 1963 under the auspices of the British Government for service in the developing countries.

The total number recruited in 1963 was just over 2,900 including a very small number who are not of British nationality.

I am grateful to my right hon. Friend for that reply. How do the figures compare with the previous period? Is he satisfied with the progress?

In 1962 the total recruitment was 2,300, so that it has gone up by a healthy percentage, which is satisfactory. We want that to continue and, if possible, to increase still further.

Will the right hon. Gentleman look into the question of the time taken to come to a decision about some of these recruits? There are complaints about long delays we have discouraged a number of people, including professors and even lawyers—if the latter might be deemed in any community to be useful—from undertaking these commitments? Will he look at that?

Indeed, I will. We try to do this as fast as we can. We have first to select suitable candidates and final selection is by the Government of the overseas country concerned. We can only submit names for their final approval or rejection. The process sometimes takes longer than we would wish.

asked the Secretary for Technical Co-operation whether he is aware of difficulties experienced by professional people in finding suitable employment in this country after returning from service overseas; and what assistance his department is able to provide to overcome such difficulties.

The Overseas Services Resettlement Bureau was set up specially to help overcome the difficulties of members of Her Majesty's Overseas Civil Service retiring prematurely and is doing so with outstanding success.

Could my right hon. Friend make these arrangements better known? Is he aware that quite a lot of people—teachers, for example—are deterred from service overseas for a few years because of nervousness about possible effects on their main careers at home?

I will As far as teachers and others in public service are concerned, we can make—and by and large have made—suitable arrangements, but it is much more difficult in private employment. We cannot legislate for that. We do all we can to persuade private employers on this, and I would very much welcome the assistance of all hon. Members in putting it over.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that that answer is much too complacent? Is he aware of what is happening to people coming back from Africa, whose pensions have not been protected or increased? Is he aware that they are arriving back here without gratuities to buy a house, with no money to buy furniture and with nothing to help to educate their children? Is he further aware that I think the Government are treating these people monstrously and unfairly?

The Question is about employment of people coming back, after service overseas with Her Majesty's Overseas Civil Service, as prematurely retired civil servants. The Service itself has set up a bureau which has found employment for over 80 per cent. of those on its books.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the non-designated officers from Northern Rhodesia are having a very difficult time over their terms of compensation and that, when they come back here, the Overseas Settlement Bureau discriminates against them and will not offer its services to them? Is this not the responsibility of Her Majesty's Government rather than that of the Northern Rhodesian Government? Will he look at this again?

The Bureau was set up for a special purpose. If it is to do that job it must concentrate on it. But the Government do provide help for all these people. There are, for example, the services of the Executive Register of the Ministry of Labour, of which I have had experience and which is an admirable body freely available to all these people.

asked the Secretary for Technical Co-operation whether newly-qualified doctors are adequately informed of the opportunities available for overseas service.

Yes, Sir. My Department has recently published a booklet on this subject which is widely circulated to medical schools and colleges.

Will my right hon. Friend arrange for this booklet to be placed in the Library so that hon. Members can read it?

I will. I hope that hon. Members will find it attractive.

asked the Secretary for Technical Co-operation what plans he has for the expansion of technical assistance to Latin America in the near future.

asked the Secretary for Technical Co-operation what proportion of expenditure on technical assistance is earmarked for Latin America in the current year; and what plans he has for further expanding technical assistance in this area.

Over £500,000 has been allocated from my Department's funds to Latin America for this financial year compared with an expenditure of £90,000 last year. This year's figure represents about 2 per cent. of our total bilateral technical assistance expenditure and about 20 per cent. of that allocated to foreign countries. In addition, the British Council is allocating over £400,000 to Latin America much of which can be regarded as for technical assistance.

I congratulate my right hon. Friend on this increase. In which particular direction does he think our assistance might yet expand? What expansion does he foresee in opportunities for British experts to Latin America, particularly Peru?

I shall have to have notice about Peru. I hope that the number of experts in Latin America will have risen to about 70 by the end of the year. It is probably in agriculture and natural resources work, and perhaps also in technical education, that I think we can most help.

While this expansion is appreciated, is 2 per cent. of our total overseas expenditure a proper proportion, bearing in mind the growing importance and, indeed, the size of the population of Latin America? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is well understood that we have special Commonwealth commitments but that there is a feeling on both sides of the House that Latin America has been too much neglected in recent years?

I hope that an increase from £90,000 to £500,000 in one year will do something to redress the balance.

asked the Secretary for Technical Co-operation what requests he has recently received from the Indian Government for technical assistance in connection with the extensions to the Durgapur Steel Works.

During the last twelve months, I have had requests for the training in the United Kingdom of twenty Indians for the maintenance and operation of new plant to be installed there; for four engineering experts to assist the chief construction engineer; and for the continuation of the services of the British general manager until September, 1965.

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that the Government are making an adequate contribution to the development of the steel industry in India?

Over 400 Indian steel workers have been trained here. We have also supplied substantial managerial and technical staff to the Durgapur works. Altogether, the large-scale financial and technical assistance, which not only the British Government but British industry have provided for the creation of this highly successful plant, is a major contribution to the Indian steel industry. I know from my recent visit there that it is appreciated as such by the Indian Government.

asked the Secretary for Technical Co-operation what he estimates will be the scale of technical assistance to Malaysia for the current financial year; and how this compares with 1962–63.

It is difficult to give financial comparisons because of the formation of the Federation and other factors during the period involved, but my best estimate is that our expenditure on technical assistance in Malaysia, excluding the Overseas Service Aid Scheme which involves special considerations, will be about 50 per cent. higher in 1964–65 compared with 1962–63.

I thank my right hon. Friend for that reply. Does not he agree that it is important to give all possible help to Malaysia? Will he see to it that this welcome expansion of aid continues?

Yes, Sir. The importance we attach to Malaysia is recognised by such a large increase in the period mentioned.

asked the Secretary for Technical Co-operation if he will take steps to support the promotion of volunteer service and the allied projects of independent institutions; and if he will make a statement.

I have nothing to add to the statement I made to the House on 12th February in which I announced a large expansion in the proposed scale of volunteer service and the increased financial support to be provided by the Government. The new Council for Volunteers Overseas under the presidency of His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh has held its first meeting.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that, in the coming years, interest in voluntary overseas service must not only be awakened in this country but enthusiasm for the whole concept aroused? Is it not vital to have the utmost publicity by radio, editorials and other means? Will he undertake this as a particular project?

Alas, I cannot control publicity of that kind, but I warmly welcome, for example, the recent series of editorials and other articles several days running in the Daily Mail. We are engaged on producing a colour film and an illustrated booklet to assist the voluntary societies.

Is the Minister satisfied that adequate publicity is being given to the voluntary service opportunities? Can he give an idea of how much is spent on publicity? Is he, further, of opinion that British youth will respond in a wonderful way if they are aware whom they should contact?

I cannot, offhand, give the amount spent on publicity, but I assure the hon. Member that I am well aware of the need to stimulate interest now that we have the programme expanding as fast as it is and that steps will be taken to ensure that publicity is given.

Will my right hon. Friend either confirm or refute a statement which was made in another place yesterday that if teachers go out to these voluntary services they will lose pension rights and seniority on their return? Surely, this is not correct.

To the best of my knowledge, it is totally incorrect. Established teachers who have already entered the teaching profession, who do not go out under the voluntary service scheme, have all their rights in that respect protected. Young volunteers who go out for the first time have not yet begun an established career in this country.

asked the Secretary for Technical Co-operation what progress is being made by units in this country, sponsored by his Department, conducting research into locust control; and if he will make a statement.

The work of the Anti-Locust Research Centre has become the basis for the international strategy of locust control. Two of the major types of plague locust have now been under control for over 10 years and a third is at its lowest ebb for 24 years. The cost of killing a swarm of locusts has been reduced by 98 per cent. compared with 20 years ago. The Centre has recently moved into new premises which will provide increased scope for its work.

In welcoming my right hon. Friend's reply, may I ask, in view of the importance of helping the underdeveloped countries, what assistance his Department is giving to countries in which there are locusts towards their own research?

On the whole, the research is done here in Britain and we are regarded as the international centre for it. Much field work is done overseas by those employed at the centre in London but the basic research is done here. The House might like to know—and, I hope, will not be too frightened to learn—that something like 1 million locusts are bred at Kensington every year for this research.

Is the Minister satisfied that sufficient is being done through the world organisations for locust control to ensure that the swarms are destroyed in their place of origin rather than allowed to come over to be destroyed elsewhere?

I am sure that they never come here to be destroyed. There is great international co-operation in this matter. I visited the Centre a few weeks ago and in one room I saw how information was coming in from the United States satellites showing weather conditions, and, therefore, swarm conditions, in various parts of the world. This is a field in which there really is close international co-operation.

asked the Secretary of State for Technical Co-operation how many designated officers and how many non-designated officers are now serving in Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland, respectively; and how many of each category have resigned, retired or been found redundant during the past 12 months.

Of the officers serving in Northern Rhodesia, 1,958 are designated and 784 are non-designated, and in Nyasaland, 678 and 15, respectively. Of officers leaving the service during the last 12 months, in Northern Rhodesia, 188 were designated and 101 non-designated; in Nyasaland, 60 and 2, respectively.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the terms offered to non-designated civil servants on Africanisation are totally inadequate? Is he also aware that talks between the Civil Service Association and the Northern Rhodesian Government have recently broken down? Will my right hon. Friend undertake to discuss the matter with that Government? Otherwise, we will have a situation in which very few non-designated civil servants will be left in Northern Rhodesia after independence.

These are matters for my right hon. Friend the Commonwealth Secretary and I cannot reply on them, but I will, of course, make sure that his attention is drawn to what my hon. Friend has just said.

asked the Secretary for Technical Co-operation in which fields of professional activity his Department has had most success in recruitment since it was set up.

In education.

Would not my right hon. Friend agree that this is very satisfactory? Has this always been the case, or has there been a recent sudden increase?

We have always given first priority to education as being the most fundamental way of helping the developing countries, but there has, I am glad to say, been a rather startling and satisfactory increase in teacher recruitment. For example, teacher recruitment has increased by 300 per cent. since my Department was set up as compared with an average increase in all forms of recruitment of 80 per cent. I should like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the great zeal and efficiency of the officers in my Department who are engaged on this work.

Can the Minister say which field of professional activity in his Department has been the least successful and what he is doing about it?

I am not briefed to reply to that but, one of the most difficult fields, as, I think, the hon. Member has in mind, is that of doctors. I have, as the hon. Member knows, an enthusiastic advisory committee which is studying recruitment among many other problems.

asked the Secretary for Technical Co-operation if he is satisfied that sufficient women are playing a part in the work of his Department in the developing countries; and if he will pay special attention to the information given on the opportunities for such service to women's colleges, senior schools, and voluntary organisations.

Women are playing a valuable part in the developing countries particularly in health and education. I would like this contribution to increase and I will bear in mind my hon. Friend's suggestion about publicity.

What proportion of those serving overseas are women? Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that the women already in the field are making a full and able contribution to this important work?

I am certainly most satisfied on the last point. I cannot give statistics, because, hitherto at least, my Department has not kept statistics on the basis of separating men and women. I can, however, tell my hon Friend, for example, that of the 431 teaching appointments made solely by my Department last year, only 64 were women, and we would like there to be many more. Anything that we can do to get more women, we shall do.

What steps is the right hon. Gentleman's Department taking to combat sex prejudice in the receiving areas? Will he undertake seriously a propaganda campaign in those receiving areas to inform them that in the view of Her Majesty's Government a woman officer, if she has the requisite qualifications, is just as good as a man, if not better?

I have no authority to undertake propaganda campaigns in independent countries, but I assure the hon. Lady that work among women's organisations, and so on, is something which we are taking increasingly seriously, not only as part of aid, but as part of the British information effort in selecting visitors to this country, and so on.

asked the Secretary for Technical Co-operation by what proportion technical assistance to non-Commonwealth countries has been increased since his Department was formed; and what percentage of the overall effort is taken by non-Commonwealth countries.

The expenditures of my Department on bilateral assistance to foreign countries have gone up by 170 per cent. and are now about 10 per cent. of the total.

I am grateful to my right hon. Friend for his statement, but may I ask whether, owing to the limited availability of funds and resources of the United Kingdom, he will give an assurance that he will not overlook the Commonwealth and the very necessary expenditure that must be undertaken there and also the position in the United Kingdom at the present juncture?

I certainly give that assurance, because although 90 per cent. instead of a somewhat higher percentage is now given to the Commonwealth, it is 90 per cent. of a much higher total, so that Commonwealth aid is increasing fast also.

Does the Minister appreciate that one of the non-Commonwealth countries which is badly in need of technical assistance is Cuba, where there is a great deal of good will towards this country following the recent bus order? Does not the Minister think that this should be followed up by helping a country which is struggling against the problem of poverty and struggling for its independence?

I did not know that it was struggling for independence. Perhaps it will make good use of the buses. My Department has no outstanding requests for assistance.

asked the Secretary for Technical Co-operation what progress is being made by the local research institutions in East Africa and the Caribbean which are sponsored and supported by his Department; and if he proposes to increase their specific grants in the near future.

There are 27 such institutions in these regions employing about 250 senior and 350 supporting scientific staff. They are doing most valuable work, particularly in the field of medicine, agriculture and the development of natural resources. I have no specific proposals for increased grants before me at the moment.

Has my right hon. Friend had any applications for an increase in the grants? In the light of his reply to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Carshalton (Captain W. Elliot) on Question No. 17, is he satisfied that everything possible is being done in both education and agriculture and is going as fast as the situation allows?

We are making progress, although in this as in other fields it ought to be faster. I have no specific proposals for increasing grants before me at the moment. My Department's research expenditure is now on a triennial basis, which is good for future planning, and this has helped to give continuity of support.

asked the Secretary for Technical Co-operation what he estimates will be the scale of technical assistance to Pakistan for the current financial year; and how this compares with 1962–63.

Technical assistance to Pakistan is given under a number of different schemes, such as the Colombo Plan, which includes other recipients, and it is difficult to give precise financial comparisons for individual countries. My best estimate is that my Department's expenditure on technical assistance for Pakistan was of the order of £650,000 in 1962–63 and that it will be about 20 to 30 per cent. higher than that this year.

In welcoming this increase, may I ask whether my right hon. Friend can say how this total expenditure is divided up among the various forms of technical assistance? Does he think that more use could be made of British consultants?

In reply to the first point, the expenditure is split more or less into equal parts between the provision of British experts, bringing Pakistan students here for training and the provision of equipment for Pakistan institutions of education. I should certainly like to make more use of British consultants in Pakistan and other countries. We are already making use of their services for feasibility studies, and I hope that this is a tendency which will increase.

asked the Secretary for Technical Co-operation how many Commonwealth awards for university teachers for 1964 have been taken up; and if he will make a statement on the progress and future of the scheme.

I hope to make the first of these awards in the next week or two and a few others later this year. I am somewhat disappointed at the initial lack of response to the scheme, but I hope it will gather momentum as its significance becomes more widely appreciated.

Would not the Minister agree that the interchange of university teachers among Commonwealth countries can make a fruitful and enduring contribution to Commonwealth co-operation? It is at the universities that we train administrators, civil servants, professional men and statesmen of the future, and anything which strengthens Commonwealth unity among these important sections of the community is well worth the cost. Will the Minister make a real effort to develop, and, if necessary, to expand, this scheme?

I certainly will. I am sure that the hon. Member and the House realise that this is only one small part of our efforts—our successful efforts—to get British university teachers into the universities of the developing countries and also to have university teachers from those countries over here. This is an important scheme and I will do what I can to expedite it.

asked the Secretary for Technical Co-operation what assistance has been given to the Government of Mauritius in the field of technical education during the years 1962 to 1964.

I understand that the Mauritius Government are building from their own funds a technical institute and a secondary technical school. They have so far asked for little assistance from my Department and have informed me that they do not wish to apply for a grant from the technical education allocation of funds provided under the Commonwealth Development Act, 1963.

Will the Minister consider making an offer of assistance to Mauritius in view of the serious seasonal unemployment problem and the serious lack of technically qualified people to try to help to diversify the country's economy? Will the Minister have consultations with the authorities there to see how they can be helped?

I am certainly not wishing to criticise the Mauritius Government, but the fact remains that an offer was available to them under the Colonial Development Act, of which they did not wish to take advantage. My education adviser has, however, recently been to Mauritius, where he has discussed these problems.

asked the Secretary for Technical Co-operation how his Department is assisting in the provision of scientists for research on problems affecting the developing countries.

My Department is employing or supporting financially over 1,200 research staff working on these problems. Just over a quarter of these are in home-based units, and the remainder are in overseas research organisations.

While thanking my right hon. Friend for that reply, may I ask him if he will bear in mind that the expansion of help of this sort, which in the long run will help developing countries the better to help themselves, is one of the most important types of aid which we can give?

Certainly I will, and we are devoting about £2 million a year to research for overseas developing countries.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these research scientists are very narrowly based in terms of the work and scientific techniques on which they are working, and will he try to ensure that there is a wider research into the social, educational and economic matters of importance to developing countries?

I certainly have an expansionary mind on these matters.

asked the Secretary for Technical Co-operation for what periodicals he accepted responsibility at the inception of his Department; how many of these have ceased publication or are about to cease publication; and what plans he has for new periodicals.

The "Journal of Local Administration Overseas" and "Oversea Education", of which the latter ceased publication in January, 1963. I have no plans for new periodicals. There are, of course, many other periodicals published by organisations which work under the ægis of my Department.

Is the Minister aware that in addition to the two he mentioned there is also "Corona", which has ceased publication, and also the "Community Development Clearing House Bulletin", which is, I understand, about to cease publication? While accepting that in the new circumstances of the ending of the colonial era these previous publications are not appropriate, is it not important to adopt new publications for the new conditions?

The publications mentioned by the hon. Member were never the responsibility of my Department, but I will keep in mind what he says.

asked the Secretary for Technical Co-operation to what extent the Low-Priced Books Scheme is now operating in West and East Africa; and what proposals are being considered for the extension of the scheme to include books suitable for educational institutions below university level, especially in the field of technical education.

The university textbooks series is available to 32 African countries. This series now includes technical and other textbooks suitable for use in technical colleges. I hope it may be possible to include other kinds of books for Africa at a later date.

Can the Minister say a little more about that last sentence? Is he not aware that there is an urgent need for the provision of books at secondary and primary level? Can he forecast what will be done to extend this admirable scheme to include textbooks at all levels of education?

I think we must take it stage by stage. These books have been available now in West Africa for a year and East Africa for two months. It was the wish, I think, of those Governments as much as of ourselves that in the first place we should concentrate on the university and technical college level. Let us get going on that first.

Has the right hon. Gentleman done anything to encourage local authorities to send to under-developed countries books which they would normaly send to be pulped when no longer used for education, as has been done by Willesden with Sierra Leone?

I am most grateful to the hon. Member. It is the first I have heard of this idea, and I shall look into it.

asked the Secretary for Technical Co-operation if he will extend the cheap books scheme to Latin America.

Preliminary studies are at present being made of the problems involved and no decision can be taken until they are completed. Moreover the co-operation of British publishers would, of course, be essential, and consultations with them cannot usefully begin until our studies have shown the type of scheme required.

Is the Minister aware that it is good news that at least a study is being made of this, but is he aware that the extension of this scheme to a number of Latin-American countries would be extremely welcome, and can we have an assurance that a decision is taken before his term of office expires?

Well, it would be rather presumptuous of me to say anything about that, but we have not been doing too badly and have extended the scheme to no fewer than 32 countries in the last year.