§ 62 and 63. Mr. A. B. C. Harrisonasked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations (1) whether he will make a statement about the Commonwealth Education Conference;
(2) what arrangements have now been made to further the proposal for exchange scholarships which was made during the Montreal Conference.
§ Mr. AlportA statement was made yesterday in another place by my noble Friend the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations which will be available to hon. Members. This statement dealt not only with the results of the Conference in general but with the arrangements for putting the Commonwealth Scholarship Scheme into operation. In brief, the thousand scholarships recommended by the Commonwealth Economic Conference at Montreal in 1958 will not only be attained but exceeded. In addition, the Conference 131W has recommended that the older Commonwealth countries should endeavour to assist the less developed by giving financial and other encouragement to teachers to take up key posts in those countries and by increasing the facilities they can offer them for the advanced training of teachers and for technical and industrial training. The Conference also agreed on follow-up action leading to a further meeting in 1961. Her Majesty's Government are immensely encouraged by the success of the Conference and are confident that its proposals will lead to a new drive in Commonwealth co-operation in this vital field.
§ Mr. G. M. Thomsonasked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will make a statement on the results achieved at the Commonwealth Education Conference.
§ Mr. AlportI would refer the hon. Member to my reply today to Questions by my hon. Friend the Member for Maldon (Mr. B. Harrison).