asked the Secretary for Technical Co-operation how many Commonwealth awards for university teachers for 1964 have been taken up; and if he will make a statement on the progress and future of the scheme.

Mr. Carr:

I hope to make the first of these awards in the next week or two and a few others later this year. I am somewhat disappointed at the initial lack of response to the scheme, but I hope it will gather momentum as its significance becomes more widely appreciated.

Would not the Minister agree that the interchange of university teachers among Commonwealth countries can make a fruitful and enduring contribution to Commonwealth co-operation? It is at the universities that we train administrators, civil servants, professional men and statesmen of the future, and anything which strengthens Commonwealth unity among these important sections of the community is well worth the cost. Will the Minister make a real effort to develop, and, if necessary, to expand, this scheme?

Mr. Carr:

I certainly will. I am sure that the hon. Member and the House realise that this is only one small part of our efforts—our successful efforts—to get British university teachers into the universities of the developing countries and also to have university teachers from those countries over here. This is an important scheme and I will do what I can to expedite it.