§ 22. Mr. Henry Clarkasked the Minister of Overseas Development what discussions his Department has had with the Zambian and Tanzanian Government on the construction of the Tanzania-Zambia railway by a British and European or American consortium rather than by the Chinese.
§ Mr. PrenticeNone, Sir.
§ Mr. ClarkIs it not in the worst interests of this country, Tanzania and Zambia that the Chinese should build this railway and that large numbers of Chinese Communists should move into the areas involved, where they can cause only disruption and tension? Ought not an initiative to come from the Western world in this matter?
§ Mr. PrenticeI should not like, on this Question, to comment on matters which are for the Governments of those countries to decide. So far as this country is concerned, clearly, the amount of money required for this project would be right outside the scope of our present aid programme. If a consortium were formed in which we were invited to take part, we could at least consider it, though I should not like to prejudge the answer.
§ Sir F. BennettDoes not the right hon. Gentleman agree that, despite the considerations mentioned by my hon. Friend the Member for Antrim, North (Mr. Henry Clark), it would be most unwise on our part to get into an economic involvement on this subject in order to meet what may prove to be transient political needs?
§ Mr. PrenticeYes, Sir; in any case, we have not been invited to give financial aid for this project by either Zambia or Tanzania, so, in a sense, the question does not arise.