§ 35. Mr. Moonmanasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will consider increasing the current contribution of £30,000 made by the British Government under the Anglo-German youth exchange programme, with a view to marking the importance of this programme in the current European situation.
§ Mr. FoleyI should like to see the level of support from our side increased, provided that comparative support for exchanges with other western European countries could also be provided. But the degree to which H.M.G. can assist programmes of this kind is governed by the present financial circumstances.
§ Mr. MoonmanI am grateful to my hon. Friend for that reply. He will appreciate that this is a modest scheme which has an enormous pay off in good will. Would he not consider setting up a secretariat which would encourage voluntary and welfare societies to make a contribution, if the Government cannot?
§ Mr. FoleyWe are in touch with many of the voluntary bodies concerned; and this is one of the issues being considered.
§ Mr. Ronald BellOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Is it not a long accepted practice of the House for Ministers not to refer to Her Majesty's Government as H.M.G.?
§ Mr. SpeakerI have not noticed.