HC Deb 12 May 1969 vol 783 cc954-6
19. Mr. Hooley

asked the Minister of Overseas Development when he plans to resume negotiations with the Republic of South Yemen about future British aid to that country.

Mr. Prentice

I have no plans to resume negotiations with the Republic of South Yemen.

Mr. Hooley

But notwithstanding the unhappy circumstances in which we severed our connection with that part of the world, would my right hon. Friend not agree that there are very strong political reasons why we should seek to be on good terms with the Republic of South Yemen? In view of the fact that we exploited this territory for 150 years, should we not now take a somewhat more generous attitude?

Mr. Prentice

As my hon. Friend will be aware, we have granted aid to the territory to the value of £12 million for the six months after independence, and, following that, we made a further offer of £1.8 million for a further period, which may seem to be small in relation to the whole of our commitments but which, seen in relation to a territory of little more than 1 million inhabitants, and the total aid programme, was not an ungenerous offer; but it was turned down by the South Yemen Government.

Mr. Braine

Would the right hon. Gentleman not agree that British interests are scarcely advanced by giving aid to this particular territory when there are so many competing claims from Commonwealth countries of a very urgent nature?

Mr. Prentice

We were prepared, as I have explained, to make a further offer of aid—a reduced offer—but it had to be seen in relation to our total aid programme and our commitments elsewhere in the world.

Mr. Paget

It is said that we exploited this area but was there a single year of our occupation in which we had a favourable balance of trade, and did not we continually pour money into the place every year?

Mr. Prentice

I do not think we really advance consideration of these matters by trying to create a balance sheet of exploitation and advantage one way or the other. I try to look at this matter as one of promoting development most effectively, and that is what I have to take into account in deciding the priorities in the aid programme.

Mr. Biggs-Davison

Before making any further offer, will the right hon. Gentleman make sure that no former employee of the British Crown who was left behind in that country is suffering injustice?

Mr. Prentice

That question is one which would have to be considered if there were a resumption of aid. Clearly, we expect the Government there to assume responsibility for payment of pensions and other benefits which are due to ex-employees of the Government.