HC Deb 21 March 1957 vol 567 cc526-7
9. Mr. Braine

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether it is intended that the United Kingdom should extend to Ghana schemes of technical aid, similar to those operating for India, Pakistan, and Ceylon.

Mr. Alport

We are in consultaion with the Government of Ghana in this matter.

Mr. J. Griffiths

Would not it be in keeping with the desires of both sides of the House if, in anticipation of the final decisions of the Commonwealth Conference, the Government now tabled legislation to amend the provisions which prohibit the Colonial Development Corporation from operating in these areas? Will not the hon. Gentleman and his colleagues consider whether the greatest help which we could render to Ghana and many of these territories, pending their future industrial development, would be to ensure the stability of their primary products on which their lives so largely depend?

Mr. Alport

That is a totally different question, but if the right hon. Gentleman cares to put it down, I will do my best to answer it.

Mr. Braine

Can my hon. Friend give the House some idea of the kind of technical or financial aid which he may have in mind?

Mr. Alport

We are in consultation with the Government of Ghana about this matter. The Government of Ghana have had a very large number of matters to preoccupy them over the last few weeks and I feel it only right—and that it would be the wish of the House—that they should be given full time to consider the implications of this proposal, which is intended to be helpful to them and which, I know, will be accepted as such by the Government of Ghana.