HC Deb 13 April 1965 vol 710 c1147
16. Mr. Alison

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what steps she has taken to co-ordinate British aid with other donor countries through the Development Assistance Committee.

Mrs. Castle

We continue to play a major rôle in the Development Assistance Committee of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development with representatives of other donor countries who are members of the Committee to improve the co-ordination and effectiveness of donors' aid policies.

Mr. Alison

Since this is clearly within the purview of the right hon. Lady's Department, will she undertake, within the D.A.C., to initiate fiscal reforms inside member countries to facilitate and encourage a greater increase in the volume of cocoa bean imports to the 12 countries concerned?

Mrs. Castle

I would have to give a little thought to whether that was appropriate to the current activities of the D.A.C.

Mr. R. Carr

Is the right hon. Lady, within the D.A.C., giving full support to the investigation of schemes of multilateral insurance for capital investment, because that might do something to offset the Chancellor's recent measures to discourage it?

Mrs. Castle

The O.E.C.D. has drawn up a draft Convention which has been submitted to the World Bank for its comments, and it has not yet been finalised.