§ 9. Mr. Biffenasked the Minister of Overseas Development how much Government aid is currently being provided to Zambia; and whether such aid carries any conditions requiring the Zambian Government to desist from supporting armed infiltration into Rhodesia.
§ Mr. PrenticeThe total expenditure on development aid for which my Ministry is responsible is expected to amount to about £4.4 million, for the current financial year. Some other items of Government assistance are given to Zambia and these are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Commonwealth Secretary. The answer to the second half of the Question is, "No". It is not the practice to attach conditions of this kind to aid.
§ Mr. BiffenWhile noting that Answer, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he does not agree that it is deplorable that a country in such generous receipt of British taxpayers' money should, nevertheless, pursue a policy which can only make a settlement with Mr. Smith's Government all the more difficult and, therefore, be acting against the British national interest?
§ Mr. PrenticeWe have made it clear on several occasions that we disapprove of any violent solution to the Rhodesian problem. We have made our view clear to the Zambian Government and they stated several times that they are not giving help to infiltrators. Apart from that, we should regard the policy of development aid, certainly in the long term, as being designed to help people's standards of living and not to turn it on and off like a tap because of a temporary difficulty.
1224 vide such experts in response to requests from overseas Governments. Thus, the geographical distribution is not, so to speak, a matter of our direct disposition.
§ Following is the information:
§ Mr. John HallWhile appreciating that this is on another point, may I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman can say what is the value of the business which Zambia is doing with Rhodesia?
§ Mr. PrenticeNot without notice.
§ Sir Knox CunninghamAs this country is legally responsible for the people of Rhodesia, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman to reconsider this decision and say to the Zambian Government that, if they want aid from us, they must stop terrorists going over the border to create havoc and murder?
§ Mr. PrenticeNo, Sir. We have a number of responsibilities in this matter. We accept responsibility for helping the development of Zambia so that the people living in poverty there can have a better life. This should be considered as important by hon. Members on both sides of the House.