§ 3. Mr. Dempseyasked the Minister of Overseas Development what is the total financial aid being provided for health services to Colonial Territories; and to what extent this sum will be increased in the next financial year.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Overseas Development (Mr. Albert E. Oram)In the calendar year 1964 financial aid to Colonial Territories which can be identified within the field of medicine and health was about £750,000.
Additionally, there was British technical assistance expenditure in this field of approximately £320,000 and most Colonial Governments devoted a proportion of their budgetary aid and general development grants from Britain to medical and health services.
It is not possible to forecast whether and to what extent this aid will be increased in 1965–66 as the priority to be accorded to the development of health services is primarily a matter for Colonial Governments and legislatures.
§ Mr. DempseyCan my hon. Friend say to what extent this aid reflects on the increase in the provision of maternity and tuberculosis services which are totally inadequate in many of the territories? Can he also say to what extent our decision to grant aid influences the policies of the units in these parts of the Commonwealth territories?
§ Mr. OramThose units are included in the services under this financial aid, but if my hon. Friend wants details of those particular services, I should be obliged if he would put down a further Question.