§ 39. Mr. Gardnerasked the Secretary for Technical Co-operation if he is satisfied that the most effective use is being made of Government funds allocated to Voluntary Service Overseas; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. CarrYes. I am satisfied that Government funds are being effectively used by this organisation. My Department is now represented on its Council and Executive Committee.
§ 40. Mr. Prenticeasked the Secretary for Technical Co-operation whether the discussions have now been completed be- 148W tween his Department and the voluntary societies on plans for sending volunteers to work in developing countries in 1964–65; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. CarrYes, sir. As a result it has been decided to fix a target of 500 graduate volunteers for 1964. That is double the 1963 programme and the Government have again agreed to meet half the British costs. In addition Voluntary Service Overseas will again send about 300 school leavers, and the Government will be contributing half the cost of this programme compared with a third this year. Provision will be made for these purposes in the Estimates to be submitted to Parliament for 1964–65.
Thus it is intended that the number of volunteers going overseas will have risen from about 20 in 1958 to 800 in 1964. The number of graduates will have risen from 36 to 500 over three years.
I would like to thank Sir John Lockwood and his Committee for their invaluable work in co-ordinating the efforts of the voluntary societies concerned.