§ 43. Mr. John Hyndasked the Minister of Overseas Development whether it is intended to continue providing financial and other economic aid to Tanzania; and what facilities now exist for the administration and supervision of such aid by his Department in that country.
§ The Minister of Overseas Development (Mr. Anthony Greenwood)My predecessor informed the House on 22nd December that we were prepared to continue our technical assistance to Tanzania and to meet existing commitments 25 of financial aid, provided the necessary administrative arrangements could be made.
So far as technical assistance and existing loan agreements are concerned, these administrative arrangements have now been made. Some of the staff who, before the breach, were dealing with aid questions in the British High Commission in Dar es Salaam are now working in the Canadian High Commission, who are responsible for representing our interests in Tanzania.
§ Mr. HyndIs it not rather absurd that we should continue to provide aid to a country which has broken relations with us when so many other countries which recognise us are in need of aid? Second, is it not deplorable that we should provide technical aid to Tanzania and have to operate through representatives of other countries because we are not recognised and cannot, therefore, intervene in the administration of the aid?
§ Mr. GreenwoodI appreciate my hon. Friend's interest. There are really two aspects to this matter. First, as regards technical assistance, there is no doubt that the, withdrawal of technical assistance might well create administrative and economic difficulties in that country which would not be in the interests of ourselves, of Tanzania's neighbours or of the community as a whole. Second, if development aid is to be effective, it must be on a planned and continuing basis. If administrative delays flow from the breach of diplomatic relations, which we hope will be temporary, this is certainly not our fault.