HC Deb 30 November 1965 vol 721 c1207
5. Mrs. Shirley Williams

asked the Minister for Overseas Development what contribution Great Britain will make to India's fourth Five Year Plan.

Mrs. Castle

I have nothing to add to the reply I gave my hon. Friend on 23rd February. The Government of India are still considering the final shape and size of the fourth Five Year Plan which is to cover the years 1966–71.

Mrs. Williams

Can my right hon. Friend say if there is any possibility of a substantial part of any British aid being in the form of interest-free loans to India?

Mrs. Castle

Yes, India qualifies for interest-free loans. This has been of great help to her.

Sir A. V. Harvey

Will the right hon. Lady agree that India's first requirement is assistance to overcome the famine in that country? Can she say what Britain is doing to help India in this respect?

Mrs. Castle

We have already this year given £15 million worth of non-project aid to India, which is of very great economic assistance to her, and in her annual plan which she has drawn up for the coming year India is placing, I am glad to say, a greatly increased emphasis on the development of agriculture, which we welcome.