HC Deb 30 November 1960 vol 631 cc69-70W
Dr, A. Thompson

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what facilities exist to co-ordinate the needs of Commonwealth territories in scientific, industrial and commercial enterprises, with the opportunities for training which exist in the United Kingdom or elsewhere.

Mr. Sandys

Most of the many thousands of trainees from Commonwealth countries who receive training in United Kingdom industry every year, come to this country under private arrangements made direct with the firms concerned, or under various British and international schemes providing for such training. I do not consider that it would be desirable to attempt to centralise or co-ordinate all these arrangements.

A Committee was set up early this year, to assist Commonwealth Governments to find openings in United Kingdom industry for trainees who cannot be placed under other arrangements.

So far as opportunities for training in other Commonwealth countries are concerned, the Commonwealth Education Liaison Committee has been established, as recommended by the Commonwealth Education Conference held in Oxford in 1959, and provides a forum for discussion and co-ordination of arrangements to meet the needs of the Commonwealth. Numerous other nongovernmental arrangements are in existence.