§ 5. Mr. E. L. Mallalieuasked the Secretary for Technical Co-operation what arrangements he has to facilitate the sale of, and access to, law textbooks in West Africa.
§ Mr. VosperThe sale to West Africa of law textbooks, as of other kinds, takes place under normal trade arrangements. British Council libraries there provide access to law books. The British Council has also been helping other local libraries, both by capital grants for development, and by presentation of books.
§ Mr. MallalieuIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is still a great scarcity of these books in West Africa? Whatever may be his opinions as to the depth of the roots struck in West Africa by Parliamentary democracy on the Western pattern, is he aware of 186 the very deep respect in which the common law of Britain and the British judicial system is held? Would it not be desirable to fulfil the real needs of West Africa for these books?
§ Mr. VosperI think that I can accept that, but with one exception I do not know of any outstanding demand for law books from West African countries. I will consider anything that the hon. Member likes to send me in respect of this.
§ Mr. ThomsonWill the right hon. Gentleman look at this question further? Will he consider whether some law books might come under the Government's own cheap university textbook scheme and be extended to West Africa?
§ Mr. VosperAs I told the hon. Member last week, the cheap textbooks scheme does not extend to West Africa. If it is so extended, I will, of course, consider the question of including law books.