HC Deb 23 February 1965 vol 707 c51W
Mr. Carol Johnson

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards Resolution 292, on International Voluntary Service, which was adopted by the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe on 29th January, 1965.

Mr. Oram

Resolution 292 proposes that the Council of Europe should support the Regional Conference on International Voluntary Service in the same way as it previously supported the Seminar which led up to the establishment of the Regional Conference.

The British volunteer movement was represented at this Seminar by members nominated by the voluntary bodies who are responsible for carrying out the British volunteer programme. Her Majesty's Government was represented by an observer.

It was the considered opinion of the British voluntary bodies that they should not join any new body set up as the result of the Seminar. At the same time they recognised the value of consultation with any such body and have agreed that they should be represented by an observer at the European Regional Conference. The Government agrees with these views.