§ 20. Mr. Francis Noel-Bakerasked the Minister of Overseas Development what discussions she has had with voluntary organisations concerning more effective co-operation to ensure public support for the aims of the United Nations Development Decade.
§ Mr. OramI had a valuable discussion in January with a number of voluntary organisations. Proposals have been drawn up for greater co-operation between the various organisations concerned in this work and are now under discussion. I hope that they will be acceptable to all concerned.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerWhen does my hon. Friend expect a decision to be reached and in what form will it be published? What assistance does he expect the Government to be able to give the voluntary agencies concerned with this work?
§ Mr. OramThe working party which is examining this question will be meeting again this week. I should prefer to await the outcome of that meeting before answering my hon. Friend's first question. I should not like to enter into any commitment about support before the discussions are concluded, but we stand ready to be as helpful in this matter as we possibly can.