§ Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Minister of Overseas Development what financial or other assistance the United Kingdom 247W has given, and is to give, to the various anti-locust research centres and control organisations; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. OramThe Anti-Locust Research Centre, which is part of my Department, is the world centre for fundamental and applied research on the biology, biogeography and control of locusts, the results of which are made available to all. It also operates the Desert Locust Information Service which issues monthly summaries of the locust situation together with forecasts of future locust activities. The centre's staff are continuously in touch with international and governmental locust control organisations. Research training is given at the centre for trainees from countries overseas.
In 1968 my Department provided specialists and equipment valued at £175,000 to the Desert Locust Control Organisation of Eastern Africa.
My Department also provide financial support for research at the International African Migratory Locust Organisation (O.I.C.M.A.) and the Anti-Locust Research Centre has carried out research
Place of Birth of Mother London Borough of Southwark British Isles West Indies India Pakistan Africa Cyprus Others Total 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Number of Births in Area* 1. Domiciliary 99 10 — 2 — 1 1 113 2. Institutional 567 69 8 11 34 15 16 720 * Births included are those to mothers usually resident in the area and those (if any) occurring in the area to mothers usually resident outside England and Wales.