HC Deb 22 March 1960 vol 620 cc226-7
34. Mr. Warbey

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of the private investment from the United Kingdom in the less-developed areas of the world during the past seven years has been invested in oil, mining and other extractive industries.

Mr. Amory

I regret that exact information on this subject is not available. But there is reason to believe that a substantial proportion of United Kingdom private investment in less developed countries is in these industries.

Mr. Warbey

Taking the right hon. Gentleman's reply in conjunction with the statement given in the recent White Paper that two-thirds of private overseas investment goes to the more developed countries, does not this make it abundantly clear that effective economic aid to under-developed countries must come mainly from Governmental and international sources?

Mr. Amory

I should not like to commit myself to the appropriate proportions, but the Government have always made it clear that private investment, while most valuable, requires some supplementation in appropriate circumstances by Government-to-Government aid and loan.