§ Sir G. Sinclairasked the Minister of Overseas Development, in view of the need for training in tropical agriculture 263W as part of Britain's technical assistance programme for developing countries, what facilities are now available to persons from this country in Trinidad at the Faculty of Agriculture of the University of the West Indies; what help she is now giving to this institution; and what help she plans for the immediate future.
§ Mr. OramFollowing the Report of the former Advisory Committee on Agriculture, Animal Health, Forestry and Fisheries (Command 2286), the British Government agreed to offer twenty studentships annually to British graduates in agriculture, horticulture and natural sciences commencing in October, 1963. The purpose of the Studentship Scheme is to provide further training in Britain and/or Trinidad to fit British graduates for suitable posts in the agricultural field in developing countries.
In most cases, the award takes the form of one year's postgraduate training in Tropical Agriculture at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of the West Indies. In some cases a further year's training may be provided at Trinidad or at a University in the United Kingdom.
During the 1963–64 academic session, eleven students received postgraduate training under the Scheme at the Faculty of Agriculture of the University of the West Indies and twelve students are at present completing their studies there for the 1964–65 session.
A grant of £52,000 per annum towards the recurrent costs of the postgraduate side of the Faculty of Agriculture is being made during the university's triennum which began in August, 1963. The question of help will be a matter for discussion with the university authorities later this year.