§ Mr. Spearingasked the Minister of Overseas Development what part of the £10 million spent on medical aid is spent in rural areas; and what plans he has for extending medical aid to rural areas.
§ Mr. PrenticeI cannot give a precise figure. But there is no doubt that the greater part of our medical aid benefits rural populations. In conjunction with national and international health authorities my Ministry has given increasing help in the promotion of health in rural areas, notably by training medical and paramedical staff for such work, undertaking research into diseases which affect rural 499W populations, and contributing to largescale control measures such as the worldwide smallpox eradication programme of the World Health Organisation, or the onchocerciasis programme in the Volta River basin. I propose to develop such activities further, and I note that the World Health Organisation, the World Bank and other bodies are jointly considering new initiatives to improve the level of public health in the developing countries. I expect my Ministry to take an active part in supporting these measures as they unfold.