§ 21. Dame Joan Vickersasked the Minister of Overseas Development, in view of the fact that a world shortage of food is probable by 1971, what action he is taking in regard to research into new methods of growing food, especially in and for tropical countries.
§ Mr. OramThe Ministry is assisting research both in the United Kingdom and overseas into plant breeding and fertilisers, crop and animal husbandry, the control or elimination of pests and diseases in pre-harvest and post-harvest conditions, and related fields.
§ Dame Joan VickersHas the hon. Gentleman seen the O.E.C.D. Report by Mr. Christiansen, which gave very adequate statistics in relation to research in regard to new foods? What co-operation is the Ministry having on this?
§ Mr. OramI have not seen the report to which the hon. Lady refers, but I can assure her that we are spending £2 million on research in this field and are getting good, practical results. I will write to her about the report she has mentioned.
§ Mr. MolloyWhile acknowledging the importance of scientific research in assisting developing countries to meet the problems of world food shortage, may I ask my hon. Friend to bear in mind that equal importance must be paid to trying to get young artificers, mechanics and others of that calibre to make their contribution in carrying out the proposals submitted from the scientists?
§ Mr. OramYes. That is important. So far the volunteer scheme has largely been oriented towards universities and schools. I agree with my hon. Friend that agriculture generally is an important field for this kind of young person to take up service overseas, and we are doing all we can to encourage that.