§ 13. Mr. Hoosonasked the Minister of Overseas Development how many of the volunteers from Great Britain, serving under the British Volunteer Programme at the present time, are from the Principality of Wales; and what steps are being taken to recruit volunteers to this service and to make known, within the Principality, the service that can be rendered through this scheme.
§ Mr. OramThere are at present 58 graduate and qualified volunteers and 14 cadet volunteers from the Principality of Wales serving overseas; and increase of 3 over last year. Recruitment of volunteers in Wales, as in other parts of the United Kingdom, is stimulated by promotional campaigns, visits, meetings, distribution of literature to universities and colleges, chambers of commerce and industrial firms.
§ Mr. HoosonI am gratified with that Answer, but would the hon. Gentleman ensure that greater publicity is given to the sixth forms and youth organisations, because he will find, I think, that there are many more volunteers available if greater publicity is given to the service?
§ Mr. OramA good deal of publicity is given, but I think that the hon. and learned Gentleman should remember, since he refers to sixth forms, that the kind of volunteers which my Ministry particularly helps are the graduates, and they are recruited at universities and from industry.
§ 16. Mr. Peter Millsasked the Minister of Overseas Development whether he will increase the direct grant given by Her Majesty's Government to the organisation concerned with voluntary service overseas; and what further plans he has to assist this service.
§ 4. Mr. Scott-Hopkinsasked the Minister of Overseas Development whether he will increase the direct grant given by Her Majesty's Government to the organisation concerned with voluntary service overseas.
§ Mr. OramThe basis of the grant by Her Majesty's Government to all four societies in the British Volunteer Programme for 1969–70 remains as 75 per cent. of the costs incurred by those societies. On this basis, as the costs to the societies increase and as the number of volunteers increases, so does the amount of the grant.
In addition to making a grant to the societies, Her Majesty's Government also pay for other services connected with the volunteer programme; for example, the costs of administration overseas. There are no plans at present to change the basis on which the programme is assisted.
§ Mr. MillsWill the hon. Gentleman give greater encouragement to these societies, bearing in mind the tremendous benefit to the countries that have these young people and, even more important, the tremendous benefit to the young people who go out there?
§ Mr. OramI entirely accept the benefit that these young people bestow on the developing countries. We do a great deal to help the voluntary societies. I am not aware of any likely approach by the societies for an increase in grant. Indeed, I had discussions two years ago with them, and one of the large societies resisted any suggestion of an increase because they were anxious to maintain fully the voluntary nature of their work.
§ Mr. TinnIn addition to graduates, can my hon. Friend say what is being done to recruit tradesmen and others with practical skills who have a real contribution to make in the scope of services provided?
§ Mr. OramThe voluntary societies are aware of my views. They have followed up suggestions that I have made and they have had considerable success in recruiting the kind of young person referred to by my hon. Friend.