HC Deb 30 November 1965 vol 721 cc1205-6
2. Mr. Fisher

asked the Minister of Overseas Development whether it is her intention to provide a further British contribution to the International Development Association when the present funds of the Association have been fully committed.

The Minister of Overseas Development (Mrs. Barbara Castle)

Yes, Sir, when the current replenishment phase ends in 1968.

Mr. Fisher

I am very glad to hear that. Will the British contribution be on a multilateral or a bilateral basis? Can the right hon. Lady tell us at this stage whether it is likely to be a larger or a lesser sum than the original contribution, and whether it is likely to be a larger or a lesser proportion of the whole?

Mrs. Castle

By definition this is a multilateral organisation, so any contribution to it must be multilateral. With regard to the size of our contribution, this is a matter which we shall have to consider partly in the light of what contributions are made by other countries and partly in the light of other claims on our resources.