§ 46. Mr. Fenner Brockwayasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how much was expended last year on technical assistance to undeveloped countries through the United Nations Economic and Social Council compared with previous years; what contribution was made by the United Kingdom compared with previous years; how many experts were supplied and how many technical assistance fellowships were provided by this country as compared with other countries; which countries were assisted; what was the nature of the assistance; and what was the cost.
§ Mr. Dodds-ParkerThe total expenditure last year under the United Nations Expanded Programme of Technical Assistance was $25,800,000 as compared with $23 million in 1952, $22.8 million in 1953, and $19.5 million in 1954. Her Majesty's Government's contribution for 1955 was £800,000 and for the three preceding years £450,000, £500,000 and £650,000 respectively. Last year, the United Kingdom provided 348 experts out of a total of just over 2,000 for service under the programme, more than any 986 other single country. Out of 2,431 holders of Fellowships, 351 studied in the United Kingdom, again more than in any other country.
It would clearly not be practicable for me to enumerate here the countries, numbering about one hundred, which received assistance, the various forms which that assistance took and the cost of the individual projects. I would therefore refer the hon. Member to the report recently published by the United Nations Technical Assistance Board on its activities in 1955, in which he will find all the details for which he asks. A copy of this report is available in the Library.
§ Mr. BrockwayWhile thanking the hon. Gentleman for that very full reply and appreciating that the British contribution, both in experts and in technical fellowships, is the highest, may I ask him whether he does not nevertheless regard a sum of £8 million for this purpose for the whole world as a very limited sum? Further, does he not regard the proportion which is spent in Africa, 8.5 per cent. of the whole, as very inadequate?
§ Mr. Dodds-ParkerI am afraid that I could not comment on the second point which the hon. Gentleman makes, but I will say that this country is providing £7 million during the next five years to the Technical Co-operation Scheme of the Colombo Plan, as against £2.8 million during the first five years; and there is also a considerable contribution under colonial development and welfare, on which it is proposed to spend £120 million in the next five years.