§ 1. Mr. Wallasked the Minister of Overseas Development to what degree aid given to Lesotho during the past years has corresponded with the recommendations of the Morse Commission; and whether agreement has been reached with the Government of Lesotho on current aid programmes.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Overseas Development (Mr. Albert E. Oram)Her Majesty's Government's aid has been related to the approved development plans of the former Basutoland Government, who took full account of the Morse Report's recommendations. Over the past seven years, Britain has committed more than £15½ million budgetary and development aid to Lesotho and, as my right hon. Friend informed my hon. Friend the Member for York (Mr. Alexander W. Lyon) on the 24th October [Vol. 734, c. 118], we have offered a further £11 million for the three-year period beginning in April, 1967.
§ Mr. WallIs it not a fact that this £11 million is mainly for budgetary aid? Will the hon. Gentleman give careful consideration to the request for an additional £1 million a year for development aid, and give particular attention to increasing the amount for the first year?
§ Mr. OramTwo million pounds of the £11 million is for development aid. We are considering representations which have been made by the Lesotho Prime Minister, but I cannot anticipate our reply.