HC Deb 30 July 1963 vol 682 cc207-8
3. Mr. Wall

asked the Secretary for Technical Co-operation whether he will now make a statement about the action which Her Majesty's Government intend to take on the recommendations of the Committee on Training in Public Administration for Overseas Countries.

Mr. R. Carr

Yes, Sir. The Government are able to accept all the Committee's recommendations in principle, and a White Paper is being published today stating its views in some detail.

We recognise the need, which was stressed by the Committee, for early and vigorous action. My Department is ready to consider sympathetically requests for help which overseas Governments or educational institutions or authorities in Britain may wish to put forward as a result of the published statement.

Mr. Wall

While greatly welcoming that reply, may I ask my right hon. Friend whether it means that the institution of advanced training and research recommended in paragraph 88 of the Report will be set up in due course? What is likely to happen about courses at Torquay on social administration which cater for Commonwealth administrators who have at least 10 years' experience in the field? Will that form of course be continued?

Mr. Carr

I require notice about the latter part of my hon. Friend's supplementary question. On the first part, I would draw his attention to the fact that the recommendation that such an institution should be set up was not a firm one but rather that the advisability of such an institution should be examined. We are urgently studying that proposal and we will announce our decision as soon as possible.

Mr. Bottomley

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that we on this side welcome the adoption of the Report and hope that as many people as possible will volunteer for service?