HL Deb 17 May 1965 vol 266 cc270-1
LORD ERROLL OF HALE

My 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 will publish a list of all the countries so far visited by the Minister of Overseas Development, together with the names of any British private enterprises she has visited in each separate country.]

LORD BESWICK

My Lords, my right honourable friend has paid visits to Pakistan, India, Tanzania and Zambia. The primary purpose of these was to discuss with the Ministers concerned the British Government's aid programme to these countries, and to see the work of British people who are helping to carry out those Governments' development plans. In both India and Tanzania she had meetings with representatives of the British business community; and while in India she visited the A.C.C.-Vickers-Babcock factory at Durgapur. In Pakistan she attended a reception given by the British community, and in all these countries she made a point of meeting, at social functions, British people working in private enterpises.

LORD ERROLL OF HALE

My Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for his Answer and desiring to express my gladness at his right honourable friend's recovery from her recent illness, may I ask for an assurance that she will continue to look at the work of British private enterprise overseas? And, in particular, will it be possible for her to visit some of the factories and plants which are providing so much technical education and apprenticeship in manual skills? Further, when possible, could other members of Her Majesty's Government do likewise when they go abroad?

LORD BESWICK

My Lords, first I must thank the noble Lord for his good wishes, which will be appreciated. As for the second part of his question, I know that he himself set a good example in this matter; the point is made and well taken. But he himself will understand that the time of these visits had been very short and, of course, to some extent the programme must depend on the wishes of the local Governments. Within that framework it is my right honourable friend's desire to meet as many people engaged in this work as possible.