§ 32. Colonel Beamishasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what fresh plans are being made by Her Majesty's Government to set up an organisation on the general lines of the Colombo Plan, in view of the Canadian offer of an initial sum of $500,000 for technical help to Commonwealth countries in Africa; which countries and territories are likely to be recipients of aid; what form it will take; and how, by whom, and on what scale it will be financed.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThe Canadian Government's generous offer is, as we understand it, independent of the question of any new formal organisation. A new international technical assistance scheme, the Foundation for Mutual Assistance in Africa South of the Sahara, was established in February this year. The United Kingdom Government have no present plans to set up a further organisation.
§ Colonel BeamishSince technical aid for these territories in Africa is of first importance, and since some of us think that progress for its provision has been disappointing, may I ask my right hon. Friend to apply his usual energy and imagination to this development and also ask him which Government Department is responsible for co-ordinating this?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI will certainly apply all the imagination and energy I have to this most important matter, which affects both myself and my noble Friend the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations.
Mr. DugdaleIs the right hon. Gentleman saying that the Government do not intend to follow the lead set by the Canadian Government and do not intend to set up any new organisation giving any technical help to either Africa or any of the other Colonial Territories?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI do wish the right hon. Member had listened to the Answer which I gave. Canada's generous offer was independent of the question of another formal organisation, but if in their view and in our view another formal organisation is necessary, it will be set up. What matters is getting on with the job and not duplicating agencies.