§ Mr. C. Johnsonasked the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs what is Her Majesty's Government's policy towards the European Inter-municipal Development Plan, initiated by the Council of Europe in 1961, and which has since enabled thousands of young people to take part in exchanges; and what response has been made to the appeal, through the Committee of Ministers, that the necessary funds should be provided to ensure the continued operation of the Plan.
§ Mr. George ThomsonHer Majesty's Government are in favour of this and54W other useful projects for bringing together young people from the different countries of Europe.
This plan, sponsored by the European Conference of Local Authorities, has been subsidised since 1962 from the resources of the Council of Europe. It was originally envisaged that it should become self-financing in due course. The Committee of Ministers' Deputies in Strasbourg has recently decided, however, to retain the subsidy in the 1965 Budget.