§ 4. Mr. Juddasked the Minister of Overseas Development what extra assistance he is giving to the Government of Botswana towards the cost of developing the new administrative capital at Gaberones and transferring all Government Departments from Mafeking.
§ Mr. PrenticeI understand that the transfer of Government Departments from Mafeking to Gaberones is almost complete.
British assistance towards the cost of developing the new capital has amounted to more than £3 million since 1962.
Further substantial assistance for housing and other purposes is under consideration from the 1969–70 allocation of British development aid to Botswana.
§ Mr. JuddDoes not my right hon. Friend agree that that does not by any means meet the full cost, and as, before independence, Bechuanaland was administered from Mafeking in South Africa, we had a special responsibility in this country for meeting the costs of building a new administrative capital?
§ Mr. PrenticeWe have provided substantial help towards the development of Gaberones, but it was agreed originally that the proceeds of the sale of the old Imperial Reserve in Mafeking should go partially to offset the budgetary aid given in that connection.