HC Deb 04 May 1961 vol 639 cc1587-8
31. Mr. P. Williams

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will now announce the Government's plans for providing further financial support to the Government of Kenya.

33. Sir T. Beamish

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the present annual scale of financial aid from all Government sources to Kenya; what approximate increases are under discussion; and if he will give an assurance that such increases will be maintained at a sufficient level to ensure a sound and progressive economy in Kenya.

Mr. Iain Macleod

Provision is already made in United Kingdom Votes for aid of about £7½ million to Kenya in the current financial year. In addition, further assistance on budgetary account and for development will be necessary, and I am engaged in negotiations with a Kenya Government delegation whose representations I will naturally consider as sympathetically as I can.

Mr. Williams

Is my right hon. Friend aware that, now that the new Government has been formed, the most important thing is to reverse the trend of the withdrawal of overseas money from Kenya? Is he aware that anything that can be done by him in this matter will be thoroughly welcomed? Can he give a further assurance that, in discussing further financial support, particular attention will be paid to finance for providing further technical education?

Mr. Macleod

The Kenya Government delegation, to which I referred and with which I am now consulting, has arrived with a number of proposals, including some for education. I cannot commit myself, in answer to a supplementary question, to particular sums of money, but my hon. Friend will understand that I mean what I say when I state that I will consider and meet the delegation's representations as sympathetically as I can.

Sir T. Beamish

In view of the inevitable loss of confidence and the drain on Kenya's economy in the election period, and the fact that a broadly based non-racial Government has been formed—which we welcome—is my right hon. Friend aware that he will have a great deal of support in this House if he treats all reasonable demands for economic and financial aid in the most generous way possible?

Mr. Macleod

I have given an undertaking in my main Answer, and I repeat it now. Anything that I can do to help, I will do.

Mr. J. Hynd

The right hon. Gentleman mentioned a figure of £ 7½ million. Though welcome, that is only about one-third of the amount given to the Cunard Steamship Company, Ltd. Will he reconsider this?

Mr. Macleod

If we take into account both that sum and what is planned, we find that it is a very large percentage indeed of the ordinary Kenya budget.