§ Lord Hatch of LusbyMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the first Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government how many British citizens received British Expatriates Supplementation Scheme or Overseas Service Aid Scheme supplements in 1979 and in 1981 and what further changes are planned.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Trefgarne)My Lords, the average number of British citizens receiving British Expatriates Supplementation Scheme or Overseas Service Aid Scheme supplements in 1979 was 4,083. In 1981, the comparable figure was 2,975. The numbers have fallen steadily since 1970 and reductions are expected to continue at about 10 per cent. per annum over the next few years. No changes in terms of service are planned at the moment.
§ Lord Hatch of LusbyMy Lords, may I ask the noble Lord the Minister whether he has read the Answer given by his colleague to a similar Question which I put in December? The Answer, which I paraphrase, was that the numbers had fallen because local indigenous people had now become sufficiently trained to take those positions. If the noble Lord has looked since at these figures, would he agree that this is not an adequate answer and that this is a deliberate policy by the Government to reduce the number of British citizens who are given supplements to work overseas? Would the noble Lord further agree that this is causing very great difficulty to universities, to technical colleges and to a whole range of national activities in the Commonwealth?
§ Lord TrefgarneNo, I do not agree with that, my Lords. I have indeed studied the Answer which my noble friend Lord Skelmersdale gave to the noble Lord, Lord Hatch of Lusby, at the end of last year. The reasons which my noble friend then gave remain correct.
§ Lord Hatch of LusbyBut surely the figures which have been given this afternoon, if I heard correctly, have reduced the number by about 25 per cent. in two years. Does this not entail a great reduction in British influence all over the Commonwealth? And is the noble Lord aware that particularly in universities it is causing very great anxiety and difficulty over the recruitment of the requisite trained staff?
§ Lord TrefgarneMy Lords, the numbers have indeed declined, as I described in the original Answer and as was referred to at the time of the earlier Question at the end of last year. But one has to remember that these schemes are operated in the closest consultation with the various Governments concerned, and they sometimes choose to use the aid funds for other purposes.