HC Deb 07 November 1961 vol 648 cc781-2
22. Mr. Mayhew

asked the Secretary for Technical Co-operation why he proposes to cut overseas information expenditure; and what form the proposed cuts will take.

The Secretary for Technical Cooperation (Mr. Dennis Vosper)

My right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer said in his statement on 25th July that he looked for a saving of 10 per cent. in the financial year 1962–63 in overseas expenditure on diplomatic and various administrative services. It is too early to say exactly how information services overseas will be affected.

Mr. Mayhew

Are we to understand that there are not to be cuts in these services?

Mr. Vosper

Certain proposals are under consideration, but it is too early to say what in fact will be the nature of the saving.

Mr. Mayhew

I congratulate the right hon. Gentleman on taking up his new responsibilities for overseas in- formation. Is he aware that by announcing that there will be cuts he has made a very bad start? Will not he agree that, so far from cutting these services, which include things like the work of the British Council in underdeveloped countries, there is a strong case for expanding and developing them now?

Mr. Vosper

I thank the hon. Member for his opening remark. As he knows —his sources of information are very reliable —there has been a very considerable expansion in overseas information services, but I do not think it impossible to provide some saving at the present time.

Mr. John Hall

Would not my right hon. Friend agree that this is not the time to cut any expenditure on overseas and other information services and that, rather than cutting, we should be expanding the services?

Mr. Vosper

Perhaps my hon. Friend does not realise that these savings apply only to expenditure overseas and not to the whole of the Vote on Government information services.