§ 1. Mr. Hooleyasked the Minister of Overseas Development if he will set up a development division in East Africa.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Overseas Development (Mr. Albert E. Oram)It is not our present intention to set up a Development Division in East Africa.
§ Mr. HooleyIs the Minister aware that the Development Division in the Middle East is held in very high regard and has done valuable work, notwithstanding the political conflicts there? Is he also aware that the Development Division in the West Indies is working extremely well? Could he give further consideration to the possiblity of this technique being used in Africa?
§ Mr. OramI certainly agree that the two Development Divisions are doing excellent work, and we hope to set up other Divisions in appropriate circumstances. I doubt whether the circumstances in East Africa make it either possible or desirable to set up a Development Division there at this moment, particularly having regard to the fact that countries in East Africa have retained a good number of expatriate officers in their service, and our High Commissions there 2104 are reasonably well staffed. Moreover, our advisory staff in London are able to keep in close touch with local conditions.