§ 37. Mr. G. M. Thomsonasked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what official requests have been received by Her Majesty's Government for a financial contribution towards a settlement of the Indus waters problem; and what reply has been made.
§ Mr. AlportI would refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply which I gave him on 11th June. When the President of 644 the International Bank informed us of the broad outline of the proposals put to the Governments of India and Pakistan for allocation of the waters of the Indus system he asked whether the United Kingdom Government, in common with certain other friendly Governments, would make a financial contribution. My right hon. and noble Friend informed him that, provided India and Pakistan accepted the Bank's Plan and the other Governments concerned were willing to contribute, the United Kingdom Government would consider most sympathetically a request by the Bank for a contribution from them.
§ Mr. ThomsonWhilst welcoming the Minister's reply, may I ask whether he is aware that the situation is now more hopeful than it has been for a long time and that the final successful outcome may well depend on the generosity of the British and American Governments? It is very much to be hoped that the British Government will give very generously to try and bring about a settlement of this old and difficult dispute.
§ Mr. AlportI fully agree with the hon. Gentleman about the great importance of this development. My noble Friend had an opportunity of expressing to Mr Black when he was here his delight at the progress that had been made. I have no doubt that what the hon. Gentleman said will be widely echoed throughout this House.