§ 2. Mr. Dalyellasked the Minister of Overseas Development what aid Great Britain is giving to Indonesia.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Overseas Development (Mr. Ben Whitaker)Disbursements of financial aid to Indonesia in the calendar year 1969 amounted to £2,442,117. This was utilised in the import of goods from Britain approved by the Indonesia Government and included buses for 666 Djakarta and crumb rubber processing plant.
Technical assistance is currently being extended to Indonesia in the fields of currency, development banking, irrigation, geological surveys and the tea industry.
§ Mr. DalyellIs there not a good case for a Ministerial visit to Indonesia in the light of the visit sponsored by the Department of Power Engineering, University of Manchester, under Professor Colin Thompson? In particular, could we have a little more information on the bus agreements as they affect British Leyland and the commercial vehicle industry?
§ Mr. WhitakerOn the first point, I hope to be able to make a visit to Indonesia later this year. On the second point, I am sure that the whole House will be glad to hear that British Leyland buses have been supplied and are operating in Indonesia.
Mr. Edward M. TaylorIs it not a wholly irresponsible misuse of taxpayers' money to give aid to Indonesia when we still have not received any compensation for the estimated £200 million British-owned assets seized by the Indonesian Government?
§ Mr. WhitakerThe hon. Gentleman will know that this matter is currently under negotiation.