Mr. Creech Jonesasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress has been made in recent years with the South Pacific Commission; what financial provision has been made for its work; whether consideration is being given to the improvement of its health services; and whether substantial aid can be given for the extension of the health section of the Commission's Research Council.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodThe South Pacific Commission has developed as a valuable international agency for scientific research, technical assistance and extension work over a very wide area of the Pacific. The work programme now covers health, including health education, particularly in nutritional problems and those of certain mosquito borne diseases; economic development, with special emphasis on the coconut industry, boat-building, fishing and tourism and social development, including the production of literature, libraries, the publication of technical information of many kinds and training in literacy. Seminars, conferences and study groups are organised on many subjects of general interest and the periodical South 111W Pacific Conferences are of considerable educational and cultural value to the people of the Region.
Financial provision by members' contributions, was fixed by agreement in 1957 at £199,000 per annum but a 10 per cent. increase has been authorised for 1961. The work of the Commission is assisted by other international agencies and by private foundations.
The health services of the Commission were especially reviewed by the Research Council at its Eleventh Meeting in July, 1960, and the resolutions of the Council, including proposals for many improvements, were adopted by the Commission at its Twenty-First Session in October. The approved estimates for 1961 provide for expenditure of £22,735 on health services as against £18,165 for 1960.