§ 2.35 p.m.
§ THE LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL AND MINISTER FOR SCIENCE (VISCOUNT HAILSHAM)My Lords, with the permission of the House, I should like to make a personal statement. Yesterday, when we were discussing the new Department of Technical Co-operation, the noble Lord, Lord Rea, asked me a question as to the effect of setting up the new Department on the position of the Colonial Development Corporation. I said that I thought the new Minister would become responsible to Parliament for the Corporation's activities. The noble Earl, Lord Listowel, corrected me; and he was, in fact, quite right to do so. It is not proposed that the new Department should be responsible for Her Majesty's Government's relations with the Colonial Development Corporation. On the contrary, the intention is that these will continue to be dealt with, as at present, through the Colonial Office and the Commonwealth Relations Office. My Lords, I can only apologise for my mistake.
LORD REAMy Lords, I thank the noble Viscount for his great courtesy in making that statement, which was quite unnecessary, except for the Record. I am most grateful to him for doing so.