§ LORD WALSTONMy 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 consideration will be given to raising the allowances payable to trainees coming to this country under the Technical Assistance Schemes.]
§ THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR COLONIAL AFFAIRS (THE MARQUESS OF LANSDOWNE)My Lords, the Department of Technical Co-operation, the British Council and the Treasury have for some time been giving detailed consideration to the complicated issues involved, and it is hoped to reach a conclusion shortly.
§ LORD WALSTONMy Lords, is the noble Marquess aware that at least a certain number of the people who have come to this country under this very admirable scheme have experienced, and are experiencing, hardship as a result of the restricted amount of money which is made available to them; and would he not agree that it would be very unfortunate if this rather fine ship of the Government were spoiled for a ha'p'orth of tar?
§ THE MARQUESS OF LANSDOWNEMy Lords, I am sure that we all want to do what we can to make this admirable scheme a success, and I can assure the noble Lord that I shall refer his observation to the right quarter.