§ 10. Mr. Haselhurstasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what discussions have been held by his Department concerning the rationalisation of the administration of international youth exchanges; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. William SheltonThe Department is in close touch with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on this. I understand that consideration is being given to commissioning an independent study of the bodies concerned. A final decision will be taken very shortly.
§ Mr. HaselhurstDoes my hon. Friend agree that although some advantage may be gained from adminis-trative rationalisation, that something would most certainly be lost if organisations such as the Commonwealth Youth Exchange Council were wholly swallowed up? Does my hon. Friend agree that it is important to have a separate organisation to promote Commonwealth youth exchange, just as it is important that there should be a Commonwealth Parliamentary Association as distinct from the IPU.
§ Mr. SheltonI recognise my hon. Friend's interest in the Commonwealth Youth Exchange Council. He was for a while chairman of that organisation. It has done valuable work, and I am aware of its importance. I cannot believe that rationalisation will end its independence.