§ 7. Mr. Gardnerasked the Minister of Overseas Development what is the number of non-graduates supported by the Government with the current British volunteer programme.
§ Mr. PrenticeThe provisional total is 936. Of these 552 are people with higher qualifications and 384 are school leavers.
§ Mr. GardnerWill my right hon. Friend confirm that there are certain useful jobs of work which can be done by people with ordinary manual skills provided they have had some special training? Will he say what discussions he has had with the trade unions and other organisations that might be able to help in this work?
§ Mr. PrenticeYes. I am very keen that people from industry should play a larger part in this programme than has been the case so far. My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary had meetings with employers' organisations and trade union leaders during last year about this matter and we are trying in various ways to follow it up.
§ Mr. BlenkinsopCan my right hon. Friend say whether there has been any increase in this figure over the last year or two and does he share the view that this is an important part of the work that needs to be done?
§ Mr. PrenticeThe total number of volunteers in 1967–68 is 1,540. That unfortunately is lower than the figure for the previous year, though higher than any preceding year. The total for 1968–69 is 1,950, and the Government will do all they can to help the voluntary bodies in reaching this target