HC Deb 22 January 1963 vol 670 cc17-8
20. Mr. Prentice

asked the Secretary for Technical Co-operation what sums have been pledged by Her Majesty's Government to the United Nations Expanded Technical Assistance Programme and to the Special Fund for 1963; and what were the comparable figures for 1962.

Mr. Vosper

Subject to Parliamentary approval Her Majesty's Government have pledged contributions for 1963 to these programmes of the sterling equivalent of $6.25 million to the Special Fund, and $3.75 million to the Expanded Programme of Technical Assistance. The comparable figures for 1962 were $5 million and $3 million, respectively.

Mr. Prentice

Is it not disappointing that, although the Technical Assistance Board aimed at an overall sum of 150 million dollars this year, the total pledged is only 116 million dollars? Does it not mean that a number of countries, including ourselves, have failed to live up to the United Nations resolution with regard to the Development Decade? Can the Government, together with other Governments, have another look at this to try to get a higher target pledged for this year?

Mr. Vosper

I do not consider that this is disappointing. This is a 25 per cent. increase on the sum provided for the current year. I believe that it is giving encouragement to other members concerned, and we are also meeting the increased demand for bilateral technical assistance. This being the case, a 25 per cent. increase over the current year seems to me to be a fairly reasonable contribution.

Mr. J. Griffiths

While appreciating that this is a 25 per cent. increase, in view of the fact that this is the year when the Freedom from Hunger Campaign will be going on, do not the Government consider that they ought now to be extra generous and give an example to other nations?

Mr. Vosper

I had regard to that when making the 25 per cent. increase, and, as I said, we have also been requested to make increases in other forms of technical assistance, which I hope to carry out.

Mr. Biggs-Davison

As my right hon. Friend has given the figure of our contribution in dollars, may I presume that in fact our contribution will be made in sterling and that expenditure resulting from our contribution will be made in the sterling area?

Mr. Vosper

That is rather a complicated point, but one receives back a considerable contribution in respect of the Commonwealth. Nevertheless, we regard our contribution to the United Nations Fund as being a good one for multilateral technical assistance.