§ 7. Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Minister for Overseas Development if he will state the total aid to Singapore and 1641 Malaysia in the current year; and how much of this is for military aid.
§ Mr. PrenticeWe have informed the two Governments that we are prepared to commit this year up to 30 per cent. of the total special aid we have offered to them; that is, up to £15 million in the case of Singapore and up to £7½ million for Malaysia. To date we have made commitments of some £12½ million for Singapore and £7 million for Malaysia, the only amount for military purposes being £127,000 for the purchase of vehicles for Malaysia. Under normal ad programmes we also expect to spend £247,000 and £11,000 on economic and defence aid respectively to Singapore and £2,719,000 and £2,080,000 on economic and defence aid respectively to Malaysia.
§ Mr. AllaunWhile thanking my right hon. Friend for that very full reply, may I ask him that, as our military expenditure is to be reduced—and rightly so— civil aid will be increased considerably, particularly the kind which will create employment?
§ Mr. PrenticeIt is for that very reason that the special programme has been announced of £50 million for Singapore and £25 million for Malaysia to be committed over the next five years. Priority will be given by those Governments and ourselves to projects which will create employment in the two countries.