HC Deb 04 July 1957 vol 572 c1297
42. Mr. E. L. Mallalieu

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what assistance has been offered by the United Kingdom Government to the Government of Ghana for the development of the Volta River project.

Mr. Alpert

The general position is still as stated by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies in his written reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Haltemprice (Major Wall) on 27th July last.

Mr. Mallalieu

In view of the vast difference which the realisation of this project could make to Ghana, do not Her Majesty's Government think that they would be well advised to offer a proportion of the financial cost of undertaking the scheme, say one-third?

Mr. Alport

My right hon. Friend's reply to which I referred said that the United Kingdom and the Ghana Government and the aluminium companies have each reaffirmed their interest in the project. The Ghana Government have given a group of United States companies until 18th July to survey the project and to enter into negotiations to undertake it. The matter therefore rests at the moment with the Ghana Government.