HC Deb 29 February 1968 vol 759 c1732
9. Mr. Wall

asked the Minister of Overseas Development if he will make a statement on the aid proposed for Zambia.

Mr. Pretice

Development aid for which my Ministry is responsible is expected to amount to about £4.9 million in 1967–68 and £4.0 million in 1968–69. These figures do not include contingency aid related to the effects of the illegal declaration of independence, which is administered by the Commonwealth Office.

Mr. Wall

Can the Minister say whether the £15 million already voted has been used? Does he agree that it would save a lot of money both here and in Zambia if the Government came to an agreement with Rhodesia?

Mr. Prentice

I think that both parts of that question are for the Commonwealth Secretary. The first part about the £15 million relates to contingency aid which, as I said in my original reply, is not administered by my Department.

Mr. Strauss

Can my right hon. Friend say whether in deciding the aid to Zambia account is taken of the enormous financial bonus accruing to that country as a result of the long-sustained steep rise in copper prices over the last six months?

Mr. Prentice

Concerning development aid administered by my Department, the main emphasis in future will be on technical assistance, because Zambia is still poor in terms of skilled personnel, although from the capital point of view it has been helped by the developments to which my right hon. Friend referred.