HC Deb 15 April 1959 vol 603 cc1016-7
17. Mr. Lipton

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how much money has been granted and loaned to the Government of Jordan since 1945; and how much of the amount loaned has been repaid.

Mr. Selwyn Lloyd

As this Answer includes a number of figures I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIA1 REPORT.

Mr. Lipton

As the figures will no doubt show that a very considerable sum is involved, either by way of gift or loan, can the Foreign Secretary say whether, in his opinion, this country and our taxpayers have had value for the money given to Jordan? Will he also say whether the visit of the Jordanian Prime Minister is connected with any further demand for money from the British Exchequer?

Mr. Lloyd

I am glad that the hon. Member has asked me that question because it enables me to inform him that we have in fact agreed to give a grant in aid of £2 million to the Jordanian Government for the financial year ending 31st March, 1960, and an interest-free development loan of £500,000 towards the desert road project. Whether or not the money is well spent is a matter of opinion, but we have traditionally had certain links of friendship with Jordan and in my view we are right to extend this aid.

Mr. Bevan

Is it not rather extraordinary that a decision to make a further grant of £2 million, and a development loan of £500,000 should be incidentally made known to the House as a result of a supplementary question?

Mr. Lloyd

The hon. Member asked me whether any further aid would be given. If it were not for the fact that I believe this is being announced later today in the Jordanian Parliament, I would not have dealt with the matter by way of a supplementary answer.

Following is the information: The money paid to Jordan since 1945 falls under three main heads: First, the subsidy paid in accordance with the terms of the Anglo-Jordan Treaty of 1946, amounting to a total of £72,144,966 (£61,022,018 of which was paid from the Foreign Office Vote and the remaining £11,122,948 from the War Office Vote); Secondly, contributions in respect of Palestine pensions which, up to March, 1958, amount to £1,805,749; Thirdly, a grant in aid, amounting to £1 million, paid in the Financial Year 1958–59. The total amount lent to the Government of Jordan is £8,650,000, which represents the sum total of the series of development loans made since 1949. Of this amount, £133,333 6s. 8d. has so far been repaid.