HC Deb 22 March 1977 vol 928 cc481-2W
Mr. James Lamond

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps have been taken to implement the proposals in the Helsinki Final Act for exchanges of material for fundamental research in natural sciences and medicine.

Mrs. Shirley Williams

Exchanges of scientific materials used for fundamental research are already arranged as necessary by individual scientists and research bodies who are best equipped to determine when to take the initiative in establishing contacts with their opposite numbers in other countries.

Mr. James Lamond

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many exchanges between students and teachers from universities and other institutes of teaching have so far taken place as a result of the signing of the Helsinki Final Act.

Mrs. Shirley Williams

None so far, though agreement was reached in January this year, between representatives of the Central Bureau for Educational Visits and Exchanges and the Russian Sputnik Youth and Student Travel Bureau, that a conference should be held later this year on youth and educational exchanges as a step towards "realising the spirit of Helsinki". The Helsinki Final Act may also have contributed to the agreement recently reached with the USSR for a pilot scheme for the exchange of teachers from schools and other non-university institutions which, it is hoped, will begin this autumn.

Mr. James Lamond

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps have been taken to prepare a scientific forum of leading scientists from the signatory countries to the Helsinki Final Act.

Mrs. Shirley Williams

I understand that this will be amongst the subjects to be discussed at the forthcoming Belgrade review meeting.