HC Deb 28 June 1966 vol 730 cc1558-9
3. Mr. Wall

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what is the total aid now given to Zambia; and for what purposes this aid is being given.

The Minister of Overseas Development (Mr. Anthony Greenwood)

Aid disbursed to Zambia in the current financial year, excluding aid for contingency planning, is expected to amount to about £4 million. I am including details in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Wall

Can the Minister say whether that figure includes military expenditure and expenditure on communications, road or rail, inside and outside of Zambia? Is the British taxpayer going to be expected to finance the Zambian economy to keep it at the pre-U.D.I. level?

Mr. Greenwood

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will look at the table which I am supplying to the House for details of this. So far as future aid is concerned, that is a matter which will have to be looked at when the time comes in the light of the economic conditions obtaining in Zambia.

Mr. Biggs-Davison

Is part of the financial aid given by the United Kingdom to Zambia being used for the purchase of Fiats for transport purposes, and has the British motor trade been invited to tender?

Mr. Greenwood

I have no information on that point, but perhaps the hon. Gentleman would put down a Question.

Following is the information:

Expected aid disbursements to Zambia during the current financial year 1966–67

  1. (i) £24,000 as final payment of the £75,000 British share of the cost of the Zambia/East Africa Rail Link feasibility survey.
  2. (ii) £.6 million out of a total of £1 million promised towards the cost of the University.
  3. (iii) £690,000 for defence purposes.
  4. (iv) £1.8 million (approximately) grant aid to meet the cost of expatriate staff recruited under the Overseas Service Aid Scheme for work in Zambia.
  5. (v) £250,000 (approximately) grant aid in respect of Technical Assistance.
  6. (vi) £.6 million out of a loan of £3 million to assist with compensation payments to British expatriate officers.