§ THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMONWEALTH RELATIONS AND FOR THE COLONIES (THE MARQUESS OF LANSDOWNE)My Lords, I think it might be to the convenience of the House if I now made a statement. I am sure the House will be glad to know that the Committee's Report on Co-operatives Overseas is being published as a White Paper to-day, together with a detailed statement of the Government's views on their recommendations. As your Lordships will see, Her Majesty's Government are able to accept the Committee's recommendations for improving the supply of technical assistance to co-operatives overseas, and the Department of Technical Co-operation is already taking action. My Lords, I should like to express appreciation of the valuable work done by the noble Lord, Lord Peddie, and his colleagues on the Committee.
EARL ALEXANDER OF HILLS-BOROUGHMy Lords, I am much obliged to the noble Marquess for his statement, and I should like to join with him in tribute to the Committee, and their noble Chairman, who made the recommendations. May I ask whether in all the countries which are already covered, as well as in new ones who may ask for assistance, the usual practice will be followed: whether, for example, if 540 a new movement is going to be started somewhere, the Government will take steps through that Department which the noble Marquess has mentioned to, let us say, send the proper person to act as the first and initiatory registrar, and steps of that kind? I understand that the cost would then have to be paid by the particular Colony or State in each case. But if that practice is going to work normally right through those who are already receiving assistance and the new ones, I shall be happy.
§ THE MARQUESS OF LANSDOWNEMy Lords, as I understand it, the assistance will not be limited to any particular countries at all: it is Commonwealth and foreign countries as well. I can give the noble Earl an assurance on that point.
LORD REAMy Lords, I should like to support what the noble Earl has said for the Opposition. May I just raise one point with the noble Marquess on a matter of terminology? The word "co-operative" surely is an ordinary British language adjective, and I hope it will not be interpreted as meaning something greater or smaller than its normal sense.