HC Deb 01 August 1972 vol 842 c98W
Mr. Marten

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will set out details of how the figure of £78,500 was arrived at for European exchanges 1972–73 giving a list of the countries with which it is proposed to make exchanges.

Mr. Anthony Royle

Her Majesty's Government have made available a total amount of £189,000 to assist non-governmental organisations with their programmes of visits, exchanges and conferences with Western Europe. It is considered that this is an appropriate level of assistance for this purpose.

The sum of £78,500 is the balance of this sum remaining after account has been taken of grants in aid and funds for exchanges with Western Europe already included in the 1972–73 estimates, and will be used to assist organisations not receiving grants in aid.

It is our intention to be flexible. While concentrating on exchanges with Community countries we do not wish to exclude other Western European countries, particularly those which are members of the Council of Europe.