HC Deb 29 June 1967 vol 749 cc732-3
29. Mr. Bryant Godman Irvine

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what support he has given to the recommendations of the Tripartite Economic Survey of the Eastern Caribbean of April, 1966; and what further steps he is proposing to take.

Mr. Oram

We generally support the the recommendations of the Tripartite Survey and hope, with the co-operation of the islands and in consultation with the United States and Canada, to apply our development aid in accordance with them.

We support the proposal that the islands should set up a Regional Development Agency and have offered 500,000 Eastern Caribbean dollars towards the cost of its activities. With the support of Britain, the United States and Canada, all Commonwealth Caribbean countries have requested the United Nations Development Programme to study the possibility of establishing a Caribbean Development Bank.

Mr. Irvine

As it is now 10 months since the hon. Gentleman said that he would try to follow the recommendations of the Report, and in view of the importance of the Report to the area, may I ask him to give continued attention to these recommendations?

Mr. Oram

Yes, Sir; we are certainly giving attention to the Report. We are awaiting the Report about the Caribbean Development Bank.