asked the Minister of Overseas Development what progress has been made in preparation for acquainting students in comprehensive, secondary modern and grammar schools with opportunities for service in Overseas Development; and whether she will make a statement.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what steps she is taking to increase the information provided by secondary schools concerning service overseas.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what steps she will take to encourage girls in comprehensive, grammar and secondary modern schools to seek opportunities for service in overseas development.

This Ministry and many voluntary organisations use school and youth conferences on Commonwealth and world affairs to tell boys and girls about the need and opportunities for service overseas.

Whilst I am grateful to my hon. Friend for that Answer, nevertheless I am not wholly satisfied because a great deal of what is contained in it has been going on for some time. May I ask my hon. Friend if he or his right hon. Friend has under consideration a more dynamic approach for informing young people of opportunities available to them in overseas development? If a forthcoming answer cannot be given now, I can appreciate that, but, nevertheless, is my hon. Friend prepared to say that a more dynamic approach is under consideration?

I accept my hon. Friend's anxiety for dynamism in this matter, but I would urge him to consider, as I put before him during the debate which he initiated, that service overseas is really for people of the age of 21 and thereabouts and that, in my view, it is wrong to encourage school leavers too much at the age of 15 and 16 to think that there are immediate opportunities for them. Therefore, though one is anxious to sow the seeds at this early stage for service, one should be careful not to raise expectations too high.

How many qualified students have gone from agricultural colleges or institutes after training?

I think that there is a Question about that later on.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what steps she is taking to increase exchanges of students between this country and other Commonwealth countries.

No steps are being taken by my Ministry to organise exchanges of students as such but a great deal is being done under a variety of schemes to encourage the two-way traffic of bringing to this country students who require training which is not available in their own countries and of providing teaching staff for service overseas.

Can my hon. Friend say at what rate the number of outgoing students is likely to expand? Would not he agree that, although it has risen by some 200 per cent. over the last five years, the number for which his Department is responsible is still quite small? Can he also say whether, at the Commonwealth Prime Ministers' Conference, there were discussions about exchanges, apart from two-way exchanges, between other Commonwealth countries?

My right hon. Friend, when she spoke to the Prime Ministers, raised the general question of student exchange but I understand that there was no considerable discussion on the matter. Other affairs were on the minds of the Prime Ministers. I should be grateful if my hon. Friend would give me notice of the figures he asks for.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware of the Commonwealth scholarship scheme sponsored by the Drapers' Company? Will he give every encouragement to such imaginative schemes within the Commonwealth?

We are anxious to encourage all such schemes and I will take note of the one to which the hon. Gentleman has called our attention.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development if she will make a statement on the financial assistance proposed to deal with the remaining compassionate cases among British farmers in Kenya.

I informed the hon. Member, in answer to his Question on 13th April last, that the British High Commission in Nairobi was studying each individual case on its merits. As the result of that study, I propose to provide up to £365,000 to enable the Kenya Government to make offers of purchase to 28 cases who qualify for assistance. Some additional cases are still under consideration and if they subsequently prove to qualify provision will be made for them. The remainder will now be told that they do not meet the criteria.

While I welcome that statement as far as it goes, may I ask the right hon. Lady whether she is really satisfied that only 28 cases need to be settled? My information is that about 150 war-wounded, sick or badly disabled British people in Kenya should be repatriated to this country and helped in other ways.

This has been considered very carefully by the British High Commissioner and, as a result, about 100 cases have been rejected and 30 are still under consideration.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that her statement will be very warmly welcomed by European farmers in Kenya? Can she give us an idea when the aid will be provided?

The successful applicants will receive offers based on vacant possession on 1st October. This is the earliest possible date from the point of view of agricultural management and standing crops.

Whilst also welcoming the announcement which will be appreciated by all in Kenya who are involved in these compassionate cases, may I ask the right hon. Lady whether she is aware that this cannot, obviously, be the end of the story? There will always be other cases coming along even in the next year or two. Has she allowed for that in her planning? Will the British High Commission be able to take care of such people in due course? Will the money be easily transferable in such circumstances?

There are still 30 cases under consideration. We are not aware of any others immediately in the offering.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development, if she will now make a statement on future Government aid for land resettlement schemes in Kenya.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what further will be done to help the remaining hard cases among British farmers in Kenya.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply of 13th July to which I have nothing to add at present.

Is the right hon. Lady aware that, in February, Mr. Stamp said in Kenya that unless something was done about resettlement there would be a general exodus of European farmers? The continued uncertainty which has existed under both British Governments for the last 18 months has caused great dissatisfaction among European farmers and Africans in Kenya and is damaging the Kenya economy.

As I have said before, there is not much point in sending out a mission unless one bases one's decisions on its report. I expect to receive the final report of the mission towards the end of August and on the basis of that report I shall have early discussions with Kenya Ministers.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what application she has received for financial aid from the Government of Cyprus; whether, in granting aid, she will ensure that it is used for the benefit of all the peoples of Cyprus and not merely for the benefit of the majority community; and whether she will make a statement.

I have received no formal application for financial aid from the Government of Cyprus. We have however told the Cyprus Government that we are ready to begin, without commitment, the consultations about future aid which are required under the Exchange of Notes of August, 1960. We have at the same time made it clear to them that, in considering this question, we shall be much influenced by the prospects of securing a lasting political and constitutional settlement and conditions in the island in which the benefits of any aid would be available to all the people of Cyprus.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what action is being taken by Government representatives on such organisations as the Food and Agriculture Organisation, the World Bank and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development to draw attention to loss and wastage of food and grain in hot and humid areas of developing countries caused by store pests, mould fungi and microorganisms and to suggest remedies such as the storage of food and grain in airtight containers.

We support efforts by the Food and Agriculture Organisation and other international bodies to reduce food losses caused by infestation. We are ourselves undertaking research in this field and providing technical assistance for the developing countries.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that a Swedish correspondent who has made a close study of this matter told me that about 35 per cent. of the food grown in hot, humid countries such as those of Latin America is wasted because of store pests, mould fungi and so on? Would it not be more effective to concentrate not so much on growing more food but on conserving food that is grown, through the provision of grain silos, airtight containers, and so on?

I would not like to commit myself to confirmation of the percentage mentioned by the hon. Gentleman but certainly losses are very considerable and this is a very serious problem. I accept the spirit of the latter part of his supplementary question concerning the importance of storage rather than growing more food, although both are needed. The Ministry maintains a tropical stored products centre which is engaged in research in this important problem.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what action is being taken by Government representatives on international organisations to suggest means of lessening the mortality rate, often 50 per cent. or more, of food-producing animals in developing countries, and to suggest remedial measures by way of better food and water storage to lessen deaths of animals by hunger and thirst.

Government representatives at meetings of the F.A.O. and other international organisations have generally supported proposals to reduce the mortality rate of livestock in developing countries, such as disease control, livestock improvement, grazing control, water supply and other schemes.

Should not our representatives overseas pay more attention to things like irrigation in order to reduce the very heavy mortality rate among cattle? Is the hon. Gentleman aware that a great deal more could be done if we could get adequate irrigation in cattle-breeding areas?

We are aware of the importance of this aspect of the problem, but I think it is a case not so much of producing new ideas but of getting implementation of ideas which are already current and accepted.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development when she expects to be able to publish the White Paper she has promised on the work and organisation of her Department.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development when she will publish a White Paper on the policy and activities of her Department.

The White Paper will be published in the first week of August before the House rises for the Summer Recess.

While thanking the right hon. Lady for her reply, and congratulating her on just getting the White Paper in—I do not know what she would have done if the House had not been sitting during the first week in August—may I ask her to use her influence with the Leader of the House to see whether, in the autumn, we may have a debate on this very important subject?

I am glad that the right hon. Gentleman appreciates that I have kept my word to the House. I will certainly be very anxious to debate the matter as soon as Parliamentary business allows after the recess.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that we on this side warmly congratulate her on bringing out this White Paper on time and on the enormous progress made since the establishment of her Ministry? Apart from the White Paper, does she expect to make any further policy statements in the near future?

I do not think there would be much time for any more policy statements between now and the White Paper, but I think that my hon. Friend will find that there are some interesting policy decisions contained in it. While thanking him for his kind remarks, I would point out that my hon. Friends at any rate are anxious to see the success of the Government's work in overseas aid

I join with others in congratulating my right hon. Friend on producing this White Paper on the work of her Ministry, but may I ask her whether, in addition to our having a debate after the recess, there is any possibility of her issuing from time to time reports on the activities of her Department to stimulate in the country interest in the viral work of her Ministry?

The White Paper will contain a good deal about the structure and the work of the Ministry. I certainly hope to have policy developments to report to the House from time to time.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what progress has been made towards formulating appropriate development projects in the Leeward or Windward Islands in a manner that will make them suitable for submission to the International Development Authority.

The Islands are too small individually to be able to satisfy I.D.A. criteria in relation to the size of population and projects, but my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies is exploring, with the Chairman of the Regional Council of Ministers, the possibility of a joint approach to the International Development Association on their behalf as a group.

Would my right hon. Friend put a bit of dynamite behind somebody on this issue? Is she aware that I have been pressing for a couple of years now that something ought to be done? Does my right hon. Friend realise that because of the history of the links of these islands with the mother country rather than with one another it is vital that the British Government should continuously take the lead in getting these projects formulated in this way?

I am sure my hon. Friend would agree that if I had been Minister during all the years he has been asking all these Questions naturally decisions would have been taken a very long time ago, but we already, as my hon Friend knows, have taken very effective action in this area by setting up the Caribbean Development Division which will be able to help in this way in future. I would point out to my hon. Friend that there are difficulties about getting the I.D.A. interested, because it is reluctant to consider applications where the population to be served by a project is less than 250,000, and so we have to find group projects, and that is not very easy.

Apart from the talks going on now about the Caribbean development bank and various other things arising out of the initiative which the British Government have taken in association with other Governments, will this be the type of organisation through which the I.D.A. can work in this area?

I could not say anything specific at the moment about the Caribbean development bank, but I agree that problems in this area are better tackled on a regional basis.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development whether she accepts the 10-year development programme for the Leeward and Windward Islands prepared by Dr. Carleen O'Loughlin; and whether her announcement of interest-free loans applies to these territories and to this programme.

Dr. O'Loughlin's report was not a development programme setting out objectives and priorities; but it is extremely valuable as an examination of the economic potential and capital needs of the islands.

But is my right hon. Friend aware of the extreme poverty of a number of these islands, and so will she not be misled by some average about the Caribbean but be willing to extend interest-free loans at least to the poorest of these islands for the development programme? Is it not time that we said plan by Dr. O'Loughlin and are going publicly that we accept the target of this to provide our share of the money over x number of years?

Poverty, of course, is one of the criteria we bear in mind in deciding entitlement to interest-free loans, and we have this matter very much in mind in this context of the sums we are able to make available. I hope to be able to approve C.D. & W. allocations for the Windward and Leeward Islands and other territories very shortly.

Would not the right hon. Lady agree that if these small islands were to form a sensible and strong federation we ought to be very generous indeed in giving the federation a chance of working and lasting, but that if they decline to help themselves by working together then perhaps we are under somewhat less of an obligation to them individually to give them aid to a greater extent than we do at the present time?

I would certainly agree with the hon. Gentleman that federation, apart from political advantages, would provide a sounder basis for development.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development whether a country which qualifies for interest-free loans will receive all its financial aid from Great Britain in this form; and what criteria will be used to determine the appropriate terms for the various loans which that country is to receive.

A country which receives all its financial aid in the form of loans and qualifies for interest-free loans, will receive all new aid in this form. Some countries, notably the dependent territories, receive grants and grants will continue to be given in appropriate cases. The criteria for determining the terms of aid to be offered to a particular country will be mainly two: the degree of need of the recipient country, in particular the income per head and the prospective burden of debt; and, on the other hand, the capacity of the country to achieve balanced and effective development.

I am very grateful to the right hon. Lady for that very clear reply. I am sure that she is aware that we all recall the speeches which she made on a number of occasions about the heavy interest borne by a number of the countries, and the burden which this was upon them, and we very much appreciate the efforts she is making in this field. However, would she also bear in mind another criterion, that where loans are given for infrastructure it is impossible for countries to be able to sustain the heavy interest element upon this because it is non-productive in character? Is this another criterion which she will bear in mind?

I think that, obviously, we would have to have regard to the content of the development plan, but I want to lay particular emphasis on the criteria I have mentioned, because these are, broadly, in line with those which the I.D.A. follows in allocating its interest-free loans, and I think we would all agree that it has great experience in this field and has some useful examples to offer us.

Would my right hon. Friend say whether India and Pakistan specifically would qualify for such interest-free loans?

I am considering particular cases, but I expect that India and Pakistan would qualify.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development whether she has yet offered any interest-free loans or indicated to any of the developing countries that they would qualify for aid in this form.

No, Sir. I shall apply the new policy case by case, and each case requires study. I propose to deal with new loans as they arise, and not to offer any general intimation, such as the hon. Member suggests, to countries which might receive them.

Can the right hon. Lady say whether she has had any applications for interest-free loans and whether, therefore, any are under consideration?

Yes, I have certainly had applications, and I am considering them urgently.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what is Her Majesty's Government's policy at the meeting of the Development Assistance Committee of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development this month with regard to the relative importance of private investment insurance against nationalisation and failure to remit profits.

I do not expect formal proposals to come before the Committee. The report on the subject to which I referred in my reply to the hon. Member for Walthamstow, East (Mr. John Harvey) on 1st June last is being studied by the International Bank.

Since other countries, such as the United States of America, Germany and Japan, have a form of insurance, would the right hon. Lady say that she agrees that this is a form of aid, and that private investment can produce valuable techniques in developing countries, and would she also agree that through joint stock companies in developing countries, especially in partnership with those who own capital in this country, much progres can be made in development?

As I have already told the House, we have no objection in principle to the establishment of a scheme of this sort, but the question whether we could accede to it when the bank has finished its studies must depend on the exact terms of the proposals which come before us and also our current economic situation at the time.

Is the right hon. Lady aware that when the United States, Germany and Japan ran similar schemes to the one posed in this Question they were extremely successful in attracting private capital into projects where, but for that private capital, British capital would have been necessary?

I am aware of the actions of those countries, but I am sure the hon. Gentleman realises that none of those which he has mentioned has the tradition of investing in developing countries that we have developed strongly in this country. We are studying the matter, but I am sure the House realises that in our difficult economic situation we must proceed carefully.

Does the right hon. Lady really suggest that entering into a scheme of this kind would involve any substantial burden on our balance of payments?

As I understand the purpose of the scheme as urged by hon. Gentlemen opposite, it is to encourage the extension of private investment. This must be considered in relation to our capacity for overseas expenditure or investment of any kind, and must, as I have said before, be considered in relation to the aid programme.

Will the right hon. Lady please consider again carefully the background fact that private investment in the developing world by this country and by other countries has been falling, and as far as we know is still falling? Therefore, it is not building up something which is rising; it is propping up something which is falling.

The right hon. Gentleman is giving me my point. Private investment in the developing countries is falling because of the necessity to create the infrastructure there which overseas aid alone can create. It is, therefore, a question of getting our priorities right. We cannot do everything at once, and I would rather start by laying firm foundations for economic development.

But surely it is the fear of political repercussions which really prevents private capital investment going into some Asian and African countries? If these were an insurance, would not it be possible to reduce Government aid?

Political anxiety is certainly one of the factors, and this is something which it lies within the power of the developing countries themselves to allay.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development how many staff who are attached to the British High Commissions in India and Pakistan, respectively, are concerned full-time with the British aid programmes to those countries; and whether the responsibility for financial and technical aid within these High Commissions has been unified to match the rest of her own Department.

In each country two of the staff at First and Second Secretary level are exclusively concerned with aid. In addition several of the other members of the High Commission spend a significant part of their time on aid matters, particularly at the higher levels. As the hon. Member will know, it is the responsibility of the High Commissioners to deploy their staff and co-ordinate their activities. The financial and technical aid programmes are at present co-ordinated by the head of the economic division in each High Commission.

Can the right hon. Lady say whether this represents a change from the time before her Ministry was established, and whether the civil servants are directly under her control, or under the control of the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations?

I cannot give the preceding figures, but, as far as control is concerned, they are in the first place responsible to the High Commission. We have accepted the recommendations of the Plowden Report on this. The aid attachés, or whatever we like to call them, must be integrated in the work of the Commission as a whole, which, in a good High Commission such as we have in India and Pakistan, is dedicated as a unit to the promotion of development, but they keep in contact with the Ministry as well.

Will the right hon. Lady tell us, not so much about the change in numbers, but whether there has been a change of function? In other words, is there now one aid attaché, to use the phrase which the right hon. Lady used, in charge of both capital and technical aid? Would not the right hon. Lady agree that it is almost as important to unify the management of aid in our overseas posts as in our machinery at home?

I am sure the right hon. Gentleman appreciates that the extent and complexity of the work in these few important countries makes it impossible to unify all the capital and technical assistance work in one individual. Clearly it must be shared, and it must be co-ordinated. We are anxious to strengthen the development representation in the High Commissions in these two countries, and discussions to this end are now proceeding.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development if she will initiate consultations to create a Commonwealth Medical Service for use in the developing countries of the Commonwealth.

The medical vacancies which I am asked to fill for Commonwealth countries are almost entirely for short-term appointments. These are best filled on contract or by secondment from permanent employment here. To create a Commonwealth Medical Service would suggest the possibility of a full and continuous career overseas, which Her Majesty's Government could not guarantee.

Will the hon. Gentleman arrange to prepare a paper on this for discussion at the Commonwealth Medical Conference to be held in Edinburgh in, I think, September of this year? Is the hon. Gentleman aware of the great attraction of this scheme, namely, that in order to supplement short-term service arrangements the richer countries of the Commonwealth should combine to create a career structure for doctors prepared to serve overseas on a long-term basis?

This question has been carefully considered, both by ourselves and the preceding Government. I agree with the hon. Gentleman that the forthcoming Commonwealth Conference may well provide a suitable quorum for this exploration, but I would not like it to be thought that we have any hope or real wish to create the kind of service which the hon. Gentleman suggests in his Question.

Why not?

May not there be some scope for some long-term service in respect of certain diseases? I am thinking particularly of leprosy. Is not there a need to co-ordinate efforts throughout the Commonwealth for the conquest of leprosy, which is a most terrible scourge but which can be dealt with, and in most cases cured, certainly if taken early? In many Commonwealth countries the elimination of leprosy tends to be neglected.

I shall take note of the hon. Gentleman's suggestion with regard to certain specific diseases, but I think that the import of the original Question was the setting up of a general medical service.

Will the hon. Gentleman again look into the possibility of a proleptic appointment so that registrars or consultants can be appointed a year ahead and therefore serve on, possibly overseas in the Commonwealth, while waiting for their permanent appointments?

This whole question of the recruitment of medical staff is a very difficult one indeed. We are constantly reviewing possibilities, and I shall take note of what the hon. Gentleman has said.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development whether she will make a statement about economic aid for the Federation of South Arabia.

The allocations made to the Federation under the 1963 Colonial Development and Welfare Act have been £4·1 million; in addition Aden State has received an allocation of £1 million and has been offered an Exchequer loan of up to a further £1 million. Since 1st April, 1963, C.D. & W. schemes in the Federation totalling rather over £3 million have actually been approved. When the Overseas Development and Service Bill becomes law we shall be making a further C.D. & W. allocation to the Federation and I am considering its amount urgently in the light of the other calls on our aid and my recent discussions with the Federal Ministers of External Affairs and Finance.

That was a very full answer indeed. When the right hon. Lady comes to consider future aid for South Arabia, will she bear in mind that if there is to be a workable, unitary State, which I know the Colonial Secretary is very anxious to create there, there must be a far greater agricultural, social and educational developments in the Protectorate States to bring them into line with Aden, and there must also be more roads to link the States together?

I certainly agree with the hon. Gentleman about the priority of agriculture and of the other services which he mentioned. Road building can be a rather costly form of investment for any developing country, and I think that we should put agriculture first.

Would not my right hon. Friend agree that one of our problems today is to face the neglect of the territories, particularly the Protectorate territories, in the 10 years before our Government came to power?

That is so. That is why we have made the provision that we have under the Overseas Service and Development Act.

With respect, I cannot let that pass. Last year, when my Government were still in office—and I know because I did it myself—we made very generous aid available—the right hon. Lady has given the figures—to the Federation and to Aden State, and the Ministers concerned in the Federation and in Aden expressed their great satisfaction to me personally for what we had given them.

I think that the hon. Member will find that we have made more generous provision.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development whether she will make a statement about economic aid for Gibraltar.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what assistance is being given to Gibraltar.

The Chief Minister and his Deputy have just arrived in this country. I shall be having discussions with them and shall make an announcement tomorrow.

I quite understand why the right hon. Lady cannot make an announcement today, but does she agree that in the rather special circumstances which now exist in Gibraltar—whose economy has been cut by almost 40 per cent., through no fault of her own—we are under a special obligation to be generous in this matter? Can she say whether her statement tomorrow will be made to the House of Commons?

The answer to the second part of the hon. Member's supplementary question is "yes". As for the first part, I appreciate the point that he has made. That is why I am hurrying as quickly as I can to make the announcement.

Will the right hon. Lady remember that we have a special responsibility for the economic difficulties in which Gibraltar finds herself at the moment, and that this is a problem in which a comparatively small amount of money can make a tremendous amount of difference?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what proportion of British aid disbursements was given in support of local costs in 1964–65 or failing that in the calendar year 1964; how this compares with the previous year; and whether she is planning to make any increase in this proportion in the current year.

I estimate that some 30 per cent. of our bilateral financial aid, excluding the categories of aid for debt servicing and certain transfer payments, was in support of local costs in each of the years 1963–64 and 1964–65. In the current year we shall examine each case for local cost aid on its merits, but I must have regard to the particular impact of this kind of aid on the British balance of payments.

Will the right hon. Lady bear in mind the great importance of local cost aid in order to make other forms of aid fructify, and that even that, perhaps, does not have quite such a bad effect on our balance of payments as some people think?

I am aware of the necessity for a reasonable allocation in respect of local costs for each of the loan agreements. In return, I hope that the developing countries will realise that we have our balance of payments difficulties and will do their best to increase their imports from this country.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what proportion of British aid disbursements during the latest 12-month period for which figures are available was tied to the purchase of goods and services from this country; and whether she proposes to effect any change in this proportion in the current year.

Of British aid disbursed in 1964, exclusive of technical assistance, aid for pensions and compensation and debt servicing loans, 42 per cent. was wholly tied, and a further 16 per cent. partly tied. Much of the remainder returns to this country in payment for goods. I do not expect these proportions to change significantly in the current year.

The right hon. Lady says "wholly tied" and "partly tied". Can she give a little more information as to what she means? Can she, in particular, say whether any of the aid is tied to specific goods, or types of goods, or to any goods produced in this country?

It depends partly on the form of aid and the projects concerned. As I have no doubt the hon. Member knows, when making loans we agree the projects on which the money should be spent, and we would bear in mind the impact on our own economy of adding to that particular form of demand. In some cases, notably in the case of our dependent territories, where the aid is not formally tied, none the less there is, by agreement, a considerable flow of British goods.

What view does the right hon. Lady take of the proposal to make some of this aid specifically in the form of goods, which may to some extent ease our balance of payments problem?

This is a matter that we have under consideration. It is not particularly easy to carry out, but we are studying it.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what action she proposes to take to encourage the further development of co-operatives in the Colonial Territories.

I propose to continue with measures recommended by the Advisory Committee on Co-operatives, under the chairmanship of Lord Peddie, in Cmnd, 2257 and in other ways now under consideration.

Does my hon. Friend realise that while there is much to criticise the last Government for, it is to their credit that they set up the Committee? He will understand that hon. Members on this side of the House have far greater expectations of this Government's efforts. Does he realise that the formation of co-operatives helps tremendously in bringing about grass-roots democracy, in view of the fact that they are run on a non-profit basis, which eliminates unnecessary economic exploitation?

I agree with my hon. Friend in his view about the importance to grass-roots democracy of co-operative development. I can assure him that in a number of practical ways we are encouraging such development. For example, we have just initiated a course of study at Nottingham University in co-operatives and marketing, and have recently made a grant to the Horace Plunkett Foundation for the next five years. In other ways we are seeking to encourage a full understanding of the co-operative idea.

When the hon. Member considers the proposals for these co-operatives, what account does he take of the financial viability of these concerns and of the possibility that they might need to be protected by licensing or subsidy if they are to continue in existence at all?

The actual registration and encouragement is usually the responsibility of the developing country. In the case of Colonial Territories, the points that he makes are very well taken care of to make sure that the co-operatives to which we give support are fully viable.

asked the Prime Minister if, with a view to encouraging inventions by persons with limited financial resources, he will introduce measures to give direct Government assistance, and specify a Department which shall fulfil this responsibility.

No, Sir. The National Research Development Corporation already assists the development of private inventions which might not otherwise be sufficiently exploited.

Is the Prime Minister aware that the procedure of this association is very circuitous, irksome, and ultimately negative? Does he realise that, as a consequence, many inventions have been lost to foreign competitors? Will not he consider instructing the new Ministry of Technology to accept the full responsibility for operating direct grants to small-scale inventors who lack financial resources, and retain the inventive genius of the Briton for the British State in general?

I cannot accept that the N.R.D.C. is circuitous, or takes a lot of time before coming to the assistance of private inventors. This body, which has been in existence for 16 years—in fact, I set it up—has been extremely successful both with small private inventors and with the major developments in universities and State institutions. Since the passage of the recent Bill, extending its resources, it will be able to do more for private inventors as opposed to State inventors.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that there is an organisation—the Institute of Patentees and Inventors—which has done most valuable work for the small inventor, and that many people, including Members on both sides of the House, think that Governments have not been sufficiently generous to this organisation, which does make a special effort to help those small inventors to which the Question refers?

Yes, Sir. I understand that the Institute referred to by the hon. Member is in very close touch with the Corporation, and that the Corporation has told the Institute that it is willing to look at any invention which may be channelled to the Corporation through the Institute. Furthermore, the N.R.D.C. is at present preparing a booklet on assistance to private inventors, and this will include a reference to the Institute of Patentees and Inventors.

asked the Prime Minister what is his policy with regard to the introduction of legislation to abolish the Lord Chamberlain's functions relating to censorship.

I have no proposals for legislation on this subject at this stage.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that theatre-goers do not need the protection of censorship in these days, and that in any case the Lord Chamberlain is the last person to impose it?

I am well aware of the very strong feeling that exists on this question, and to the extent that this aspect of our national life needs some degree of modernisation I should have thought that there was a very strong case here. How it is to be done is a matter which we need to think further about. It might be a fitting subject for my noble Friend the Lord Chancellor to study, now that he has facilities for studying law reform.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Lord Chamberlain's powers are being widely evaded already by the device of turning theatres into clubs? Ought not the regulations to be further tightened up?

I gather that there is evidence to suggest widespread evasion. When there is such evidence in a case like this, it is, of course, an argument which pushes either way—either to tighten up the regulations to cut out the evasions or to abolish the regulations on the ground that they are not workable.

Will the Prime Minister refresh his memory by reading the admirable speech of the right hon. and learned Solicitor-General in the last Parliament, when he introduced a Bill to abolish these powers, of which I was happy to be a sponsor? Would he not agree that the existing laws of defamation and obscene libel are quite sufficient to control the content of plays without having to have a royal governess thrown in as well?

There is a lot to be said for this. As the hon. Member says, it was an excellent speech. I think that we had better leave this matter in the hands of the Lord Chancellor, with the law reform facilities which he has, to consider whether this aspect of our law and practice should be modernised.

asked the Prime Minister what plans Her Majesty's Government have for the underground testing of various components of Polaris warheads.

I have nothing to add to the statements that I have already made to the House on this subject.

Would the Prime Minister confirm that the Royal Navy is very anxious that the firing mechanism should be retested, in view of the partial failure of the mechanism a year ago? Would he give an assurance to the House that the warhead will not be put into service until the firing mechanism has been tested?

It is always difficult to know how far to answer these questions, for reasons understood by the right hon. Gentleman the Leader of the Opposition. To test the warhead as a whole, as I am sure the House understands, would require facilities which are excluded to us because of the test ban agreement. To test some small part of it—I had better not be more specific—is, of course, open to us, though, as I understand it, the argument here is a matter of economy of materials, to see whether we could make further economies rather than to test the effectiveness. I am not going to comment on what the hon. Member said about the failure a year ago, except to say that it was a very expensive test.

Would the Prime Minister assure the House—this is the important point—that he will carry out whatever underground tests, within the agreement, are considered necessary and which he is persuaded by his scientific and military advisers are necessary, in order to ensure the effectiveness of the deterrent? Will he carry out what testing he is persuaded is necessary and possible?

Yes, Sir; but I am sure that the right hon. Gentleman will realise that, for the reasons I gave to the House last December about the fact that this has to be a different shaped warhead because of Polaris, it is not possible ever now to be able to test whether that warhead will work in these circumstances. I certainly agree that there may be a case for tests, particularly on the grounds of economy, of parts of the mechanism, but it will never be possible, under the, test agreement, to test the warhead as a whole.

I will not ask the Prime Minister whether these mechanisms should be tested or not. I do not think that it is desirable that he should say one way or another in public. May we take it that what he has said means that if there is any part of the mechanism which needs testing he, as Prime Minister, will see that this is done, so that the Polaris submarine is an effective weapon of war?

If it is necessary to do this testing, it will be done. I want to make it clear again that it is not an issue of being able to satisfy ourselves that the warhead, which the right hon. Gentleman had refashioned to fit Polaris, will work or not. This is something which has to be taken on trust, as the right hon. Gentleman was prepared to take it on trust. He knows very well that the particular test in question—like him, I will not go into details—was not related to the effectiveness at all of this warhead. It was related to an attempt to save a considerable amount of money on certain of the materials concerned. If there is reason to think that a repeat of that test—which, as the right hon. Gentleman knows, failed—should be taken in order to save money on materials, we shall be ready to do it.

Would the Prime Minister bear in mind that if the Labour Government, under any circumstances, were to start retesting nuclear weapons, this would be taken exceedingly badly by a large section of the Labour Party and also by the British people?

The position is, as I have always made clear, that, with regard to the so-called independent deterrent which we inherited, we are going to internationalise this deterrent. That means that, in so far as it must be kept in being for that purpose, I do not mind taking such steps as are necessary to reduce the cost of this. This is a very expensive instrument. But this does not in any sense affect Her Majesty's Government's policy about internationalising the deterrent.

asked the Prime Minister what representations he has received on the procedure followed by Departments in submitting names for the Honours List; and what reply he has sent.

No representations on Departmental procedure have reached me. The second part of the Question therefore does not arise.

I recognise that the obvious supplementaries will be out of order. Will my right hon. Friend give instructions to the Departments concerned to end the whole system of honours?

I had not thought of going that far. Certainly, some of the recent comments on recent Honours Lists did not apply to that part of the Honours Lists for which the Departments of State are responsible.

asked the Prime Minister what plans he has for reviewing and modernising the Departmental machinery for the submitting of names for Honours Lists.

The Departmental machinery is always under review, and I do not consider that any special action is called for.

Until my right hon. Friend's conversion to the need for abolishing this ridiculous institution altogether, may I ask him to consider publishing in the OFFICIAL REPORT some details of how the Departmental machinery works, in view of the increasing evidence that Departments in general are awarding honours for services which are more apparent than real?

I think that the Departmental procedures work very well. Certainly, one of the big developments in the last few months has been the fact that, as a result of Departmental procedures, we are now able to identify a considerable number of names in the submissions which relate to successful work in export markets. The export citation is of great value and this has come out of the Departmental procedures.

Can the Prime Minister give the House the assurance that, in a future list, he will include the name of the hon. Member for Fife, West (Mr. William Hamilton) and, preferably, send him upstairs?

Order. That is out of order.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a large number of people in this country who deserve honour and to whom it is very difficult to find a way of giving public recognition, except by some system of this kind? While there may have been abuses, other countries, like Russia, which have attempted to find new methods have come back to the Order of Lenin and devices of this kind, because people do things for which they deserve public honour and may not be rewarded in cash.

This is true of very large numbers of our fellow citizens. They do tremendous work in local authority work and in social service and public service generally, with no hope of reward. When, to the existing Honours system, is added the Queen's Award for Industry in respect of exports and technological advance, I think that the Honours system will be very much justified by results.

asked the Prime Minister if he proposes to address the United Nations General Assembly this autumn.

Yes, Sir, I hope to do so when the present difficulties affecting the Assembly's sitting have been overcome.

Could the Prime Minister tell us whether he feels that an initiative by Britain when the General Assembly goes back to work would not be particularly valuable with regard to the No. 1 crisis in the world, namely, Vietnam? Could we perhaps co-ordinate this with a further effort by the Commonwealth Peace Mission?

It may not be until the autumn—I hope that it will not be later than that—that it will be possible to have any addresses by anybody to the Assembly. My hon. Friend will know that we sought, some weeks ago, to activate the United Nations in the matter of Vietnam and, for various reasons, it became clear—I had to say this with great regret—that it was not possible in that situation. It was for that reason that the Commonwealth decided to take the initiative which they have.

Does that Answer mean that the right hon. Gentleman is promising the country that there will not be an autumn election?

rose—

Order. That is out of order—

On a point of order. Since the Prime Minister has half promised that he will go to the United Nations in the autumn to address that Assembly, surely it is reasonable to ask him whether it follows that there will not be an autumn election?

The hon. Member forgets. This is one of the matters about which the Prime Minister may not be questioned in this House.