and training. The Director of the United Kingdom Institute of Personnel Management, Mr Tonkinson, had already been assisted to visit Nigeria, India, Singapore and Hong Kong. He was shortly to
These
return to Nigeria and would also go on to Ghana but on this occasion under the normal FCO sponsored visits programme. visits by the heads of UK institutions were valuable and reflected the Sub-Committee's belief that, in the wide context of improving industrial relations in developing countries, assistance may sometimes be appropriate for employers' organisations (eg in respect of management training and personnel practices).
6. Mr Hargreaves said that the TUC was looking ahead to two areas where assistance would be needed. The first was South Africa where the TUC was already involved in considerable expenditure (paragraph 19): the second was Rhodesia where the need would arise. once the present constitutional difficulties had been resolved. The commitment in Nigeria for the development of a workers' education scheme would remain and the developing situation in Portugal gave rise to misgivings. There were potential splits in the Portuguese trade union movement which would have unfortunate industrial and political consequences if they were realized. He drew attention to an approach made some years ago by the trade unions in the EFTA to the EFTA Council of Ministers which had not then yielded results in terms of trade union development. It was possible that Portuguese trade union officials might need to be brought to this country for training. The Sub-Committee would also find continuing small needs arising in the Caribbean, eg the gift of books.
7. Mr Coates knew of the benefits of Mr Tonkinson's visits to West Africa and the Far East. They had been much appreciated by employers' organisations in the various countries. He hoped assistance for similar visits by officials of UK institutions would remain a possibility since the normal budgets of such bodies did not provide for overseas tours. He hoped the CBI would put forward one or two projects for the Sub-Committee's consideration.
8. In respect of assistance for TUC activities relating to South Africa Mr Foggon said that though the Republic is not a developing country, this need not rule out the possibility of assistance (paragraph 20 below).
Item 2:
9.
Report on Training and Technical Assistance in the Labour and Social fields under the British aid programme (Paper OLC (1974) 2)
The Chairman invited the Committee to take note of the paper circulated for this item which sets out what is being done by way of UK training courses for labour department and trade union officials from overseas, and the recruitment of UK specialists for assignments abroad.
10. Mr Johnston revealed interest in the training of overseas factory inspectors on courses now being developed at Aston University. There is every sign that these will become popular and well
/ established
- 3 -