§ 6. Dr. A. Thompsonasked the Secretary for Technical Co-operation how many British university teachers have been supplied to overseas universities on short-term secondment schemes proposed by the Committee set up under Sir Charles Morris on the Staffing of Overseas Universities.
§ Mr. VosperThe Committee's main purpose is to bring British and overseas universities together and to encourage co-operation between them. Schemes of secondment involving financial assistance by Her Majesty's Government are only a part of its activities. So far such assistance has been approved in 57 cases. These include 34 secondments for periods varying from a few months to three years.
§ Dr. ThompsonMay I thank the Minister for that reply and ask whether, as the Committee has been sitting for 13 months, he will speed up matters in his liaison with the universities and in the secondment of these academic teachers, particularly in the field of medicine?
§ Mr. VosperYes, I will do that. But this is, of course, only one of several channels at my disposal for helping overseas universities. I agree, however, that the method of secondment is probably the most promising. The hon. Member will, I think, find the Committee increasingly entering into contracts in the future.