HC Deb 19 November 1968 vol 773 cc1094-5
14. Earl of Dalkeith

asked the Minister of Overseas Development whether he will make a statement giving details of the economic aid that is being made available during the current financial year to the islands of Dominica, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and Grenada, respectively.

Mr. Oram

Aid totalling over £2.5 million is being made available through Colonial Development and Welfare grants, technical assistance and—to all save St. Lucia—budgetary grants. There is also investment by the Commonwealth Development Corporation. I am circulating details in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Earl of Dalkeith

Can the Minister say whether he is satisfied that as much as possible is being done, both by public investment and through encouraging private investment, to reduce the present high levels of unemployment in these islands, which is the main factor compelling so many West Indians to seek their livelihood in other, less attractive countries?

Mr. Oram

Aid to these countries is running at the level of about £7 per head of their population, which is a high level in comparison with our general aid programme. The social problems to which the hon. Gentleman refers are constantly being examined by our Development Division in Barbados, with the Governments of the islands he mentions.

Sir H. Harrison

Will the Minister confirm that these four islands, probably more than any other places, suffered from devaluation because all their imports are from the dollar area and they have no higher price for their exports? Would he bear that in mind when making an assessment?

Mr. Oram

In making our assessment of these islands' needs all such relevant

ECONOMIC AID BEING MADE AVAILABLE TO DOMINICA, GRENADA, ST. LUCIA AND ST. VINCENT IN FINANCIAL YEAR 1968–69
£'000
Dominica Grenada St. Lucia St. Vincent
Budgetary Aid 352 375 — 458
C.D. & W.* 280 230 275 275
O.S.A.S 10 9 12 8
Other Technical Assistance† 56 56 95 55
Commutation and Compensation Loans 1 2 — —
Total 699 672 382 796
Commonwealth Development Corporation Investment 70 — 335 —
* In addition there is a regional C.D. & W. allocation of £250,000 from which the islands benefit substantially.
† In addition £68,000 is being made available for regional research projects in the Eastern Caribbean which cannot be broken down island by island.