§ 33. Mr. Hardyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth 24 Affairs what is the number of British citizens who are currently engaged in activities abroad sponsored by Voluntary Service Overseas or other similar organisations; and what steps are currently being taken to encourage an increasing number of persons to participate in this work.
§ Mr. WoodAbout 1,900, Sir. The organisations concerned are continuing their recruiting efforts, which are reaching a wide range of potential volunteers.
§ Mr. HardyI thank the Minister for that reply. Does he agree that the Government should greatly increase the level of their support for this activity not merely because great benefit is conferred upon the recipient but because the experience which the young volunteers gain is extremely worth while?
§ Mr. WoodThe main responsibility for finding the volunteers rests on various individual voluntary societies, but the Government will always give support from the point of view of the benefit both to the developing countries and to the volunteers.
§ Dame Joan VickersAs the combined number of overseas aid students is 25,000, does my right hon. Friend not think that Great Britain is playing a great part in sending 1,900?
§ Mr. MayhewWhile I endorse the tributes which have been made to this excellent work, may I ask the Minister to take this opportunity of denying Press reports to the effect that the demand for these volunteers has considerably decreased?
§ Mr. WoodIt has not decreased in general. Greater emphasis is now put, probably rightly, on the need for graduates and specialised volunteers, and they now fill the larger proportion of the total.