HC Deb 14 March 1957 vol 566 cc1304-6
40. Mr. E. L. Mallalieu

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if the Government have yet reached a decision on the methods and extent of continued aid to economic development in Ghana following independence, with particular reference to the Volta River Scheme.

Mr. Alport

The Government are engaged in a comprehensive review of the United Kingdom's rôle in the economic development of newly independent countries such as Ghana. My noble Friend is consulting other members of the Commonwealth on the subject and this process of consultation is not yet completed. As regards the Volta Scheme, I would refer the hon. and learned Member to the reply given on the 27th February to the hon. Member for Barnsley (Mr. Mason).

Mr. Mallalieu

Is the hon. Gentleman not aware that these consultations have already taken a very considerable time and there is a feeling both here and in Ghana that aid was stopped somewhat abruptly on the achievement of independence? Is he further aware that the Secretary of State for the Colonies said last July that if the Volta scheme was to be prosecuted satisfactorily there was need for the utmost speed in order to make it financially successful?

Mr. Alport

I can assure the hon. Gentleman that we are anxious to give as much assistance to Ghana as possible consistent with the new status which Ghana has now achieved.

41. Mr. E. L. Mallalieu

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he is undertaking a comprehensive review of the question of development in new Dominions in consultation with the rest of the Commonwealth; and if he will call a conference for this purpose.

Mr. Alport

Other Commonwealth Governments have been consulted on the various suggestions made during the debate on Commonwealth Development on 30th November and the Government are reviewing the United Kingdom's rôle in the development of new independent Commonwealth countries. The question of what further action should be taken will arise as part of this review.

Mr. Mallalieu

Cannot the hon. Gentleman do something to hurry this matter up? Are we to wait until new Dominions come along and cause similar disappointments to those which have been caused in the case of Ghana? Does not Ghana deserve special ad hoc aid in view of the fact that it has taken over our burdens in regard to the Northern Territories?

Mr. Alport

I am sure it would be the wish of the whole House that, in a matter of this sort—a Commonwealth matter—plenty of time should be given for the Commonwealth countries to consider the implications my noble Friend has put to them and the outcome should be treated as a Commonwealth matter as a whole.

Mr. Bevan

Would it not be very much more desirable for this new constitutional arrangement to be fixed as early as possible before ill feeling arises? If we are to give help—and we ought to give help—to new Commonwealth nations like this it should be done at once and not after a long period during which time a great deal of bad feeling might be created.

Mr. Alport

In view of the extremely good relations which exist between this country and Ghana, as evidenced over recent weeks, I am sorry that the right hon. Member should introduce an allusion to ill feeling.

Mr. Bevan

May I ask the hon. Gentleman to reflect upon that answer again? We have discussed this matter in the House on several occasions. We discussed it last year, and at that time we impressed on the Colonial Secretary the need for there being no hiatus between the economic help given to new nations and what they were receiving when they were dependent territories. It is not a question of my intimating that there is bad feeling, but that we ought to act before it can arise.

Mr. Alport

The right hon. Member will be aware that the discussion took place on 30th November. In consideration of the fact that consultation must be undertaken with all Commonwealth Governments, I do not think a very long stretch of time has elapsed.