§ 3. Mr. Wallasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will authorise the transference of blocked funds for the Rhodesia Freedom from Hunger Campaign, earmarked for African agricultural schemes.
§ Mr. CallaghanEach case must be considered on its merits. Sterling payments are allowed for charitable and humanitarian purposes, and to relieve severe hardship, but not payments for long-term projects which could be deferred until constitutional Government is restored.
§ Mr. WallIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the case mentioned in the Question concerns two sums of £10,000 for African agricultural development? Is he aware that similar allowances have been made for other schemes? Will he look into the matter?
§ Mr. CallaghanI have personally reviewed this case, because it is difficult in this instance to draw the balance. The application was for dollars and, although that in itself would not be a determining factor, nevertheless it was one which weighed with me. I can say to the House, to show the basis on which we proceed, that grants have been made in response to urgent appeals for help to combat the situation arising from the drought in Matabeleland, and grants have been made to the asociations dealing with crippled children, the blind and the disabled. But there must come some division and I have tried to draw the line as fairly as possible.