HC Deb 01 June 1965 vol 713 cc1498-9
21. Mrs. Shirley Williams

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what technical assistance she has offered to the Government of Zambia.

Mrs. Castle

When Zambia became independent, the British Government offered to continue to make available technical assistance over a wide field within the limits of our financial and other resources.

Our current programme includes the provision of expert advisers, teachers, topographical and geological surveys, training in Britain for Zambians, and assistance under the Overseas Surveys Aid Scheme. We also support the sending of a number of graduate and other volunteers, and contribute to scientific research in the area. During my recent visit Zambian Ministers made clear to me the value they attach to the provision by Britain of experts in so many fields of whom there are over 1,700.

Mrs. Williams

May I thank my right hon. Friend for that extremely encouraging reply, especially in view of the fact that for many years the production of graduates and secondary school leavers for Zambia has been appallingly low, below the potential of the country? Would she say a word about whether we are able to give any help for teacher training in these territories?

Mrs. Castle

Yes, Sir. We are undertaking teacher training in the area. I am afraid that I do not have the exact figures with me, but I shall be glad to let my hon. Friend have the precise details. I agree with her that this is a very important part of technical assistance.

Sir R. Thompson

Do the right hon. Lady's proposals include any assistance for the railway that Zambia is very anxious to build to an east coast port?

Mrs. Castle

I discussed this matter with Zambian Ministers during my recent visit. I know their interest in the subject, but I could not hold out any prospect of British help at this time.

Mr. Wingfield Digby

Does the right hon. Lady intend to increase this figure of 1,700 technical helpers? Is that an upper limit, and, if not, when will the extra help be provided?

Mrs. Castle

We have not set an upper limit of figures because we know how great are Zambia's needs, for the reasons which my hon. Friend has given. We are doing our utmost to meet the innumerable requests from Zambia for more experts. We shall have to take steps which we now have under consideration to strengthen the recruitment in this country of the people who are wanted, and I hope to be able to announce something about that shortly.