HC Deb 08 August 1966 vol 733 cc258-9W
Mr. Francis Noel-Baker

asked the Minister of Overseas Development if he will make a statement about the volunteer programme.

Mr. Oram

Yes. During the last year the voluntary societies and the Ministry have undertaken much critical study of the volunteer programme. With the agreement of the societies I am able to announce the following decisions:

  1. (a) To show that this is a coherent effort the programme will in future be known as the "British Volunteer Programme".
  2. (b) All concerned have agreed to place more emphasis on the need for longer service by volunteers. At interview would-be volunteers will be told that service for 18 months to two years is the normal requirement but there will inevitably be some projects and 259 personal circumstances which would justify a shorter term.
  3. (c) With longer service becoming more general it will be open to the Societies to improve training arrangements.
  4. (d) We do not yet know how the stress on longer service will affect recruitment. Until this is known we do not intend to aim at a large increase in numbers of volunteers but to maintain graduate recruitment at the present level of 1,200–1,300.
  5. (e) Considerable thought is being given to methods of improving the overseas administration of volunteers by the British Volunteer Programme. The Ministry already provides funds to strengthen the British Council administration to enable it to undertake in consultation with our Missions, the host Governments, and all concerned, the proper selection of projects and the administration of volunteers and under these arrangements the British Council is responsible for the overseas administration of the greater part of the volunteer programme.