HC Deb 25 June 1964 vol 697 cc593-4
1. Mr. Boyden

asked the Secretary for Technical Co-operation if he will make a grant to the Community Development Clearing House sufficient to ensure its continuance.

The Secretary for Technical Co-operation (Mr. Robert Carr)

I have nothing at present to add to the reply which I gave on 18th June to the hon. Member for Leyton (Mr. Sorensen).

Mr. Boyden

Is the Minister aware that that reply is rather obscure? Is he satisfied with the present operation, and is he proposing that his Department should take over the work? If he is, does he appreciate that it will probably cost a great deal of money and that it is doubtful whether the work will be done?

Mr. Carr

I am sorry if my Answer is obscure, but discussions are going on and I am not in a position to add to it at the moment. I am certainly not dissatisfied with the present operation.

Mr. G. M. Thomson

Is the Minister aware that the last Delhi conference on Commonwealth education, and presumably the next one in Ottawa will do the same, has laid great emphasis on adult education work and community development? Would it not be a great tragedy if his Department came to be associated with the death of this scheme which had such promising beginnings?

Mr. Carr

I would not like to be associated with anyone's death. One of the elements is to determine how much importance the developing countries which I am charged to help attach to this work.

Mr. Bourne-Arton

Would not my right hon. Friend consider the claims on the money voted to his Department and consider the priorities put forward by the developing countries themselves on the money?

Mr. Carr

I am very glad that my hon. Friend has made that point, because this is my chief problem. I am charged to give the sort of help to the developing countries which they themselves say they most need.