HC Deb 27 January 1966 vol 723 cc396-7
Q7. Mr. William Hamilton

asked the Prime Minister if he will now make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's policy on the continuation of financial and technical aid to those members of the Commonwealth who have severed diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom.

The Prime Minister

I would refer my hon. Friend to the Answer given on 22nd December by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Overseas Development to a Question by the hon. Member for Bradford, North (Mr. Ford).

Mr. Hamilton

Would my right hon. Friend say whether consideration has been given to the advisability of redirecting this aid and technical assistance until such time as these two countries recognise what the Government are trying to do in Rhodesia and lend more active support to what the Government are trying to do?

The Prime Minister

I do not think that it will be very long before those two countries realise that they have made a very serious mistake. But it is a mistake which is reparable. Aid, when it is a question of maintaining aid, means teachers, hospital staffs and others, and it cannot and should not be switched on and off like a tap, depending on grave diplomatic action of this kind. I hope that these two countries will be ready rapidly to restore relations with us.

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