§ [No. 43]
§ After Clause 16, insert the following new clause:
§ Technical assistance to overseas countries
§ "The Agency may with the consent of the Secretary of State enter into and carry out agreements with the Minister of Overseas Development under which the Agency act, at the expense of that Minister, as the instrument by means of which technical assistance is furnished by the Minister in exercise of the power conferred by section 1(1) of the Overseas Aid Act 1966: and the Agency may. with the consent of both the Secretary of State and the said Minister enter into and carry out agreements under which the Agency, for any purpose specified in the said section 1(1), furnish technical assistance in a country or territory outside the United Kingdom against reimbursement to them of the cost of furnishing that assistance."
§ Lord KIRKHILLMy Lords, I beg to move that this House doth agree with the Commons in their Amendment No. 43. This clause has been introduced at the request of the Ministry of Overseas Development. Its purpose is to ensure that the Agency have power to make their skills and experience available to the Governments of, and other authorities and bodies in, overseas countries, if they should be invited to do so. A similar clause has been added to the Industry Bill in your Lordships' House and this seems to me to be an eminently sensible addition.
§ Moved, That this House doth agree with the Commons in the said Amendment.—(Lord Kirkhill.)
§ On Question, Motion agreed to.