HC Deb 30 May 1968 vol 765 cc2112-3
13. Mr. Gardner

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what steps have been taken in the last year, in the context of both the British Volunteer Programme and the Voluntary Service Overseas Cadet Volunteer Programme, to interest both sides of industry in service overseas by volunteers.

Mr. Oram

Last year I had discussions with both sides of industry. These meetings have been followed up by the sending societies and the Ministry in various ways. Both the British Volunteer Programme and Voluntary Service Overseas's own cadet scheme have been brought to the attention of individual trade unions and industrial firms on several occasions.

Mr. Gardner

Can my hon. Friend enlarge a little further on that and say whether all these approaches have yet produced any change in recruitment?

Mr. Oram

The C.B.I. has given publicity to our volunteer programme in its education and training bulletins. Articles on volunteer service have appeared in a number of trade union publications. The C.B.I. and the trade unions have been acquainted with the nature of the posts which it is hoped volunteers will fill. It is too early to give a full figure about recruitment from industry for the present year, but provisional information already indicates that there will be an increase over last year.

Mr. James Davidson

Will the hon. Gentleman say whether, in connection with a letter which I wrote to him recently about dissemination of information on overseas aid to schools when this comes about, he will take steps to improve this dissemination and other possibilities of careers for young people in overseas aid development?

Mr. Oram

We have debated this on previous occasions in the House. While I accept the spirit of the hon. Member's supplementary question, he should have in mind that volunteer service is mainly a matter for graduates from the universities. Sixth forms of schools are not necessarily the best places in which to do our recruiting. Universities are the places where we make a direct approach, but we convey as much information to schools as we can.

Mr. Blenkinsop

Does my hon. Friend agree that the non-graduate field is one of the most important and that what we want desperately is practical young men going for experience in industry?

Mr. Oram

Yes, Sir. I probably misled the House. I was distinguishing in my supplementary answer between universities and sixth forms. I entirely agree with what my right hon. Friend said about the need for industrial volunteers, people with qualifications which are equal to those of a graduate but of an industrial kind. It is in this field that we are making special efforts.