§ 6. Mr. Braineasked the Minister of Overseas Development what machinery exists for consultation with British industry at the planning stage before decisions are taken on the allocation of aid.
§ Mr. PrenticeIt is not practicable to hold consultations with industry at the planning stage, but there are many contacts between my department and industry on matters concerning their interests. These interests are given full weight when aid allocations are planned.
§ Mr. BraineCan the right hon. Gentleman give the House an assurance that the Government's admitted failure to consult British business interests over the compensatory aid arrangements for Singapore will not be repeated? Can he say what specific action is being taken by the Government to implement the recommendations of the Cromer Committee in this regard?
§ Mr. PrenticeWe are considering carefully the recommendations of the Cromer Committee. I cannot make a statement on it at the moment. Certainly I do not admit a failure to consult industry over 2108 Singapore and Malaysia. There have been a number of contacts, both in those countries and in this country, with the interests concerned.