§ 22. Mr. Henigasked the Minister of Overseas Development how much official aid has been sent to Nigeria since June, 1967, to the latest convenient date.
§ Mr. PrenticeThe total amount of official development aid given to the Federal Military Government of Nigeria between June, 1967, and March, 1969, was about £8.6 million. In addition, in the same period some £970,000 was given by Her Majesty's Government to relief purposes in the war stricken areas.
§ Mr. HenigWhile welcoming my right hon. Friend's reply, may I ask whether 12 exact accounting methods are used to make certain that the money is spent on the projects for which it is intended, since there have been rumours that some money intended for aid has been diverted to military use? Can my right hon. Friend deny this?
§ Mr. PrenticeI can deny it emphatically. We have efficient methods of making sure in Nigeria, and in any other part of the world, that aid provided by the British taxpayer is used for the purpose for which it is intended.
§ Mr. TilneyWill the Minister bear in mind the immense need for medical help for those wounded in the war?
§ Mr. PrenticeYes, Sir, that is why the Government have made this contribution to the Red Cross, to which many private citizens in this country have also contributed.