§ 4. Mr. Ridleyasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations why a Supplementary Estimate of half as much again in Class II, Vote 5, was not originally foreseen.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations (Mr. John Tilney)I would refer my hon. Friend to the full and detailed explanations in the Fourth Report from the Estimates Committee. There is nothing I can add to this.
§ Mr. RidleyBut what steps has my hon. Friend taken to ensure that this year's Estimate contains the right sums for the Indus Basin Fund, and, in view of the likely doubling of the cost of this scheme, can he also say whether Her Majesty's Government's contribution will also have to be doubled, and, if so, where 1456 the money will be found for balance of payments purposes?
§ Mr. TilneyMy hon. Friend will realise that we are very much in the hands of the Commonwealth Governments for estimates of their requirements from the various grant and loan moneys which have been agreed long beforehand. It is very difficult, therefore, at the early stage of the Estimates to know exactly what these sums will be.
§ Mr. RidleySurely my hon. Friend should ascertain what sums are available from the surpluses on balance of payments before promising to invest these very large sums abroad? Is not that the right way round?
§ Mr. TilneyBut my hon. Friend will realise that, for instance, we granted a loan of £4 million to the East African Common Services Organisation, which was announced to the House on 19th November, 1962, and of that amount only £1.372 million has so far been drawn. We are very much in the hands of Commonwealth Governments in this matter.