§ 31. Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will agree to meet the expense of shipment incurred by a local education authority undertaking to send redundant books in reasonable condition to one of the developing countries.
§ Mr. WoodNo, but I can put the hon. Gentleman in touch with a voluntary organisation which would like to have books like this, if they are interesting and useful, and would ship them to developing countries.
§ Mr. PavittIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that I am sorry he will not take the first initiative because I feel certain that if this proposal had official Government backing a larger number of education authorities would be prepared to deal with it? Is he aware that my own education authority has been sending books to Sierra Leone with some success? Is he further aware that I welcome the last part of his answer and if he will let me have the name of the voluntary organisation we will continue to make our shipments?
§ Mr. WoodI would like to tell the hon. Gentleman that the organisation I have in mind is the Ranfurly Library Service which does exactly this. It would be a duplication of effort if I did precisely what the hon. Gentleman asks.