§ Mr. Waldenasked the Prime Minister whether he will make a statement about the Commonwealth Institute.
§ The Prime MinisterYes. Provision has been made in a Transfer of Functions Order which will be submitted to Her Majesty in Council tomorrow whereby statutory responsibility for the Commonwealth Institute will be transferred from my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs. I am satisfied that this change will serve the best interests of Commonwealth relations and help increase knowledge and understanding of the Commonwealth countries among the people of this country. My right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Education and Science and the Secretary of State for Scotland will continue to take a lively interest in the work of the Commonwealth Institute, which is greatly valued by education authorities and teachers for the services it makes available to all types of educational institution.