§ 14 and 15. Dr. A. Thompsonasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations (1) whether he will arrange for Commonwealth Technical 1632 Training Week to be followed up by similar public and civic activities in subsequent years:
(2) whether it is proposed to hold further discussions with the other Commonwealth countries who sponsored Commonwealth Technical Training Week on the possibility of interchange of training facilities.
§ Mr. BraineThe possibility of following up Commonwealth Technical Training Week is a matter which the Central Advisory Committee is considering now. The possibility of interchange of training facilities is another matter. There are, of course, regular consultations with the Governments of other Commonwealth countries about technical training under the Colombo Plan and the Special Commonwealth African Assistance Plan and interchanges of training facilities do in fact take place.
§ Dr. ThompsonFirst, in view of the success of Commonwealth Technical Training Week and to ensure that it was not a flash-in-the-pan, will the hon. Gentleman bear in mind that some thought should be given to sustaining public activities on this topic in the future? Secondly, will he keep in touch with the new Department of Technical Co-operation on my latter point?
§ Mr. BraineI will convey the hon. Gentleman's suggestion to the Central Advisory Committee. I take note of what he has said.