§ 3. Mr. Jayasked the Minister for the Civil Service what exchange programmes exist between younger members of the Civil Service and their counterparts in other member countries of the European Free Trade Association; and to what extent Her Majesty's Government are encouraging such programmes.
§ Mrs. HartStudy visits by small groups or by individual civil servants are encouraged if the value seems likely to 1206 justify the cost. Apart from individual visits, 14 study visits to six of the member countries of the European Free Trade Association and two visits to E.F.T.A. Headquarters have been made in the last five years by groups of young civil servants attending courses at the Centre for Administrative Studies.
§ Mr. JayDoes that mean that the Government have arranged similar exchanges with the countries of E.F.T.A. of which we are a member as they have with the countries of E.E.C. of which we are not a member?
§ Mrs. HartMy right hon. Friend will be aware of an Answer I gave a week or two ago about visits to E.E.C. countries. We have some parallel visits to E.F.T.A. countries, but the degree of each is a matter for my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade.