Volta River Project

HC Deb 27 March 1958 vol 585 cc583-4

39. Mr. Willey

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what further progress has been made in the discussions regarding the financing of the Volta River project in Ghana.

Mr. Alport

The United Kingdom Government have not been concerned in any recent discussions on this project. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of a statement issued by the Ghana Government about discussions they have recently had in Accra with representatives of Aluminium Ltd. of Canada.

Mr. Willey

I am obliged to the hon. Member for that reply. Will he continue to make offers with regard to this matter and give it every assistance? This project is of vital importance to the future of Ghana.

Mr. Alport

We have always made clear our continuing interest in this problem.

Mr. Woodburn

The British Aluminium Company was very much interested in this matter, and the Ghana Government sent representatives to visit its works in Falkirk, near my own constituency. Has that interest completely collapsed?

Mr. Alport

I would not like to go further at this moment than the statement which has already been made upon the matter, but recent negotiations have taken place direct between the Ghana Government and the Aluminium Company of Canada.