asked the Minister of Overseas Development what requests she has recently received from the Government of Zambia for the provision of higher education personnel and agricultural officers on secondment; and to what extent she is able to meet the requirements.

I have received no requests in these categories since the independence of Zambia and none is outstanding in relation to staff for higher education. I have outstanding requests for 19 agricultural field officers. Four of these posts are about to be filled and the remainder are under active recruitment.

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for that reply. Will he bear in mind the real need of Zambia to develop its agricultural potential, and will he do all in his power to ensure that his Department is able to satisfy its requirements?

I can assure the hon. Gentleman that the needs of agriculture, not only in Zambia but in other territories in Africa, are very urgent and fundamental. The Ministry certainly has what he says very much in mind.