§ 41. Sir G. de Freitasasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, in view of recent developments in France, his Department will consider giving practical assistance and financial support to those voluntary agencies concerned with promoting youth leadership exchanges between Great Britain and France.
§ Mr. FoleyWe are considering in what further ways we might assist the voluntary organisation arranging exchanges of this 1000 kind. But we are limited by our present financial circumstances.
§ Sir G. de FreitasIs my hon. Friend aware that millions are spent in promoting exchanges of young people between France and Germany? Could not we spend even a quarter of that sum in promoting such exchanges between Britain and France?
§ Mr. FoleyMy right hon. Friend will be aware that a considerable amount is already being done by Governments without any financial stimulus or support. There are, in addition, well over 2,000 French assistants in schools in this country, and from this country nearly half that number have gone to France. We should like to see more.
Mr. Alan Lee WilliamsIs my hon. Friend convinced that the British Council is the best agent for these exchanges? Would he consider giving further assistance to the British Youth Council so that it could undertake the work?
§ Mr. FoleyThe British Council is concerned with exchanges of young scientists and business executives. The Central Bureau for Educational Visits and Exchanges and the British Youth Council join to deal with the rest of the youth field.