HC Deb 29 June 1960 vol 625 cc1371-3
18. Mr. Donnelly

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will now take the initiative in proposing that the Governments of the United Kingdom, France, Western Germany and the United States of America should organise a mutual aid scheme for the continent of Africa comparable to the Marshall Plan of 1947.

Mr. Selwyn Lloyd

I sympathise very much with the purposes which the hon. Member has in mind. I doubt, however, whether a mutual aid scheme on the lines of the Marshall Plan is what is wanted. For one reason, the present position in Africa, where the economy needs developing, not restoring, is hardly comparable to that of Europe in 1947. But we are continually reviewing ways of helping Africa. In our support of the International Development Association we had Africa very much in mind and at present we are studying the proposal for co-operative action within the Commonwealth, which was made at the recent meeting in London of the Commonwealth Prime Ministers.

Mr. Donnelly

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that the time for taking some very important initiatives may be limited? While appreciating the difficulties of the United States in an election year, may I ask if there is any reason why the British Government should not take the initiative with the French and German Governments to initiate discussions parallel to the Commonwealth discussions to which the right hon. and learned Gentleman referred?

Mr. Lloyd

No. We are in touch with both those Governments on this matter, but the difficulty raised is not quite so much getting another organisation. It is getting resources on a sufficient scale. At present, quite apart from private capital, we are contributing about £35 million a year in one way and another. It is a question of where the resources are to come from. European Governments as well as the United States Government are well aware of the need, and a variety of methods are being studied.

Mr. K. Lewis

Does my right hon. and learned Friend realise that, while Her Majesty's Government are giving independence to so many countries in Africa and are apparently ready to meet this request for aid, there is some danger that his colleagues may agree in the next few months to take away independence from the County of Rutland—

Mr. Speaker

Order. The Foreign Office is responsible for some rather remote places, but I have not yet got Rutland into the responsibility of the right hon. and learned Gentleman.

Mr. K. Lewis

On a point of order. I was just going on to ask if I could have mutual aid from the Foreign Secretary when the time comes to give it.