§ 11. Sir F. Bennettasked the Minister of Overseas Development what estimate he has made of the level of employment which will be reached in Malta as a result of the aid given to that country in the financial year 1967–68.
§ Mr. BottomleyBritish aid is allocated to the heads of expenditure in Malta's Development Plan for 1964–69. To select any period in that five years and to forecast the level of employment directly attributable to British aid in that period would be difficult and could be misleading.
§ Sir F. BennettThe Minister will recall that his colleague said in a recent debate that natural wastage would absorb most, if not all, of the 300 cuts in the first year and therefore no increase in unemployment need be expected above the figure of 8 per cent. Can he reaffirm that position as it stands today?
§ Mr. BottomleyYes, the figures reflect an improvement. At the end of 1965 the number seeking employment was 7,859 and at the end of 1966 that number had fallen to 6,504.