HC Deb 29 May 1963 vol 678 cc1297-8
10. Mr. Harold Davies

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will make available to Parliament a more detailed report of the 11th Central Treaty Organisation meeting at Karachi than the two-page typescript now available in the Library; and what it has cost Britain to date to remain a member of the Central Treaty Organisation.

Mr. P. Thomas

Copies of the official communiqué and the secretariat's record of the opening session of the 11th Central Treaty Organisation Ministerial meeting in Karachi are now available in the Library, together with various booklets on the Central Treaty Organisation.

Her Majesty's Government's share of the organisation's secretariat and military planning staff budgets has, since August, 1959, totalled £150,700. In that period Her Majesty's Government have also contributed approximately £2,600,000 in economic, and £2,756,000 in military aid to the regional countries of the organisation.

Mr. Davies

Does that figure include our contribution to the infrastructure in the area, and does it include our contribution to building the railway between Mush and the eastern area of the C.E.N.T.O. Treaty obligations? Will he not let Dr. Beeching know about this magnificent railway project in case he plans to close it on strategic or economic grounds?

Mr. Thomas

The figures T have given, from the economic point of view, certainly include things like technical assistance, ports and telecommunication links between the regional capitals.

Mr. Davies

What about the railway?