§ 2.35 p.m.
§ LORD CASEYMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they believe that the Commonwealth Agricultural Bureaux are likely to be able to continue successfully under the present arrangements, or whether they believe that the time has come for some fundamental reconsideration of the present arrangements for scientific co-operation in the Commonwealth, including the possibility of the co-operation of the United States with the Commonwealth Agricultural Bureaux on some basis other than the present.]
THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR COMMONWEALTH RELATIONS (THE DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE)My Lords, Her Majesty's Government have no reason to believe that the Commonwealth 2 Agricultural Bureaux are unlikely to be able to continue successfully under existing arrangements. These arrangements for scientific research are, of course, a matter for agreement between all participating Governments, and if it became apparent at any time to any of the Governments concerned that there might be advantage in reconsidering them, we would be ready to join in examining alternative possibilities. As the noble Lord may be aware, an interim conference of representatives of participating Governments is to be convened next year, and a special committee appointed to review certain aspects of the working and financing of the Bureaux. This will provide an opportunity for any discussion of possible changes in the existing organisation that are at that time thought desirable, including any extension of existing collaboration with non-Commonwealth Governments.
§ LORD CASEYMy Lords, I am grateful to the noble Duke for his reply. May I ask a few further and, I like to think, relevant, questions? In the light of the high regard in which the work of the Commonwealth Agricultural Bureaux is held in Australia and, I believe, in other countries, and in the light of the two meetings that the noble Duke anticipates in the future, would Her Majesty's Government keep in mind the desirability of making the terms of reference of these two bodies as wide as possible, remembering the very varying interests and requirements of the newer developing countries of the Commonwealth and also 3 of the older members of the Commonwealth? And may I ask that, in the course of seeking to frame the terms of reference, reconsideration will be given to the possibility of increasing the present price to non-Commonwealth members of the Commonwealth Agricultural Bureaux for the journals of abstracts? Further, are Her Majesty's Government aware that, in present circumstances, it may be that some of the newer developing countries of the Commonwealth will decide to relieve themselves of the financial obligations of full membership of the Commonwealth Agricultural Bureaux and rely on buying the journals of abstracts at the present very low price, thereby, of course, throwing a further financial burden on the remaining members of the Commonwealth Agricultural Bureaux?
THE DUKE OF DEVONSHIREMy Lords, if I may, I will answer the noble Lord's questions in the same order as he posed them. First, I think the terms of reference that have already been recommended by the 1960 Review Conference for the Interim Conference and for the special committee are, indeed, wide enough to cover all points, including the cost of the abstract journals. Secondly, I would say that we are very reluctant to believe that any of the participating Governments would be so short-sighted as to think of leaving the Bureaux. Finally, on the matter of the cost of the journals, their price was doubled as recently as January 1 last.
§ LORD CASEYMy Lords, I am grateful to the noble Duke for his reply.