§ 6. Mr. Prenticeasked the Secretary for Technical Co-operation what forward planning is taking place in his Department to help the Voluntary Societies' Committee for Service Overseas increase the number of volunteers going to work in developing countries; and if he will make a statement on the scale of the increases anticipated in the next few years.
Mr. CarrDiscussions are at the moment in progress with the voluntary societies and other bodies concerned about plans for 1964–65. I will make a statement as soon as possible about the result of these considerations.
§ Mr. PrenticeIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that many of us would prefer to see the establishment of some British equivalent of the American Peace Corps to do this job? Failing that, I welcome what the right hon. Gentleman said and ask him to give careful consideration to extending the number of graduate volunteers. I believe that 250 are going this year under the auspices of this Committee. Is his Department thinking in terms of a much larger number in subsequent years?
Mr. CarrI would not like to forecast the numbers. I hope that when I make a statement it will be an optimistic and expanding one.