India

HC Deb 02 February 1967 vol 740 cc739-41

1. Mr. Marquand

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what was the total of British economic aid to India in the last year for which figures are available; and how much this figure represents per head of the Indian population.

The Minister of Overseas Development (Mr. Arthur Bottomley)

In 1966 total disbursements of British Government economic aid to India were something over£44½ million. This represented approximately 1s. 10d. a head.

Mr. Marquand

In view of the articles which recently appeared in The Times, pointing to the danger of the virtual disintegration of Indian democracy and the immense importance to this country of maintaining democratic government in India, can my right hon. Friend explain the principles which lead him to allocate so much less aid per capita to India than he allocates to many countries which are, in fact, economically better off?

Mr. Bottomley

We recognise that India's needs are very great, and we are participating fully in the efforts that are being made by the Western Aid Consortium. British aid to India is currently about 10 per cent. of the total Western aid to India. I can only say that we have many responsibilities. Some countries depend upon us substantially for aid, and in their case we could not make cuts to meet the wishes of others.

Sir B. Craddock

Is it possible for the right hon. Gentleman to give the House any idea of the percentage of the amount given which has been used to improve methods of agricultural production, and how much has been used in other directions?

Mr. Bottomley

In regard to India, we have made it as flexible as possible. We are not a food-producing country, so we cannot send food as such, but the money which is given to India is spent in a way which they think might further food production.

Mr. Bidwell

Can my right hon. Friend say what agencies are at work to determine that the aid is used in the most sensible and practical way? Is he aware that I recently visited India as their special guest, and formed the view that their urgent problems are not only irrigation and fertilisation, but also education? What is being done to assist in that direction?

Mr. Bottomley

I heard with interest of my hon. Friend's visit to India, and I congratulate him on the part he played in trying to show the Indians that we were meeting their wishes. I hope, at the same time, that he will acknowledge that it is India's responsibility to see how best the resources can be used.

22. Mr. Bidwell

asked the Minister of Overseas Development if he will provide analytical computers for Indian agricultural universities.

Mr. Bottomley

If so requested by the Government of India, I would be ready to consider providing equipment of this kind within the normal programme of British financial aid to India.

Mr. Bidwell

I thank my right hon. Friend for that encouraging reply. Would not he agree that as the population of India constitutes half the population of the British Commonwealth of Nations—and bearing in mind our history of 200 years of occupation—we have a special responsibility in providing the most up-to-date aids to the young men of India who are battling against diseases of crops and famine in that country?

Mr. Bottomley

Yes, Sir. As I have indicated in previous Answers, we do all that we can to assist.

23. Mr. Bidwell

asked the Minister of Overseas Development if he will provide books a-ad general printed matter to assist educationists in India.

Mr. Oram

The Ministry already provides books and periodicals in the educational field to India under the Low-Priced Books Scheme, the Management Book Gift Scheme and Colombo Plan technical assistance.

Mr. Bidwell

Would my right hon. Friend undertake to look closely at the scheme of assistance in this regard, bearing in mind the fact that there are pressures in India to dispense with the English language altogether and that many British educationists in India consider that they are not yet receiving sufficient aid of this type?

Mr. Oram

India has been by far the largest single market for the sale of books under the Low-Priced Books Scheme. However, I agree with my hon. Friend that we must constantly watch the demand and respond to it whenever we can.