HC Deb 25 February 1969 vol 778 cc1256-7
9. Mr. Bryant Godman Irvine

asked the Minister of Overeas Development what progress has been made in carrying out the recommendations in the Tripartite Economic Survey of the Eastern Caribbean through the Regional Development Agency or in other ways.

Mr. Oram

The Regional Development Agency, meetings of which are attended by representatives of the Governments of Britain, Canada and the United States of America, has been set up. Negotiations are still proceeding on the establishment of the Caribbean Development Bank. Through the British Development Division the British aid programme in the Eastern Caribbean has been concentrated and reorientated in line with the development priorities identified by the tripartite survey.

Mr. Godman Irvine

Would the hon. Gentleman not agree that that is not much progress, as the survey was presented nearly three years ago?

Mr. Oram

I think that we are making progress, but the hon. Gentleman will recognise that, in dealing with a considerable number of Governments, differences do arise. This, for example, has happened in the case of the Development Bank, but, given that, a good deal of satisfactory progress has been made. For instance, there have been over 90 technical assistance assignments in line with the tripartite survey recommendations, and other achievements.