Swaziland

HC Deb 22 January 1970 vol 794 cc668-9

5. Mr. Wall

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what agreement has been reached with the Government of Swaziland over the problem of alienated land; and what aid is now being given or planned for Swaziland.

27. Mr. Oram

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what progress has been made in the talks with the delegation from Swaziland at present in this country.

Mrs. Hart

We have been having very useful and friendly discussions during the past week with a delegation from Swaziland, and these discussions are now in their final stages. We have agreed to make available to the Government of Swaziland over the next three years 1970–71 to 1972–73 a total amount of £6,395,000. This includes an amount of £250,000 as a contribution to their general revenue balance. The remainder will take the form of development aid, to be spent on projects to be jointly agreed by the Swaziland and British Governments, including land development projects following consideration by the two Governments of the report of the Land Mission to Swaziland in February and March, 1969. The necessary provision will be sought in the annual Estimates.

Mr. Wall

Now that these discussions have been going on for over a year, could the Minister say whether the sums she has mentioned include an element of compensation for the land alienated many years ago?

Mrs. Hart

That is a different question. The British Government cannot accept an historical claim on that point, but the figure mentioned includes a considerable sum for the kind of action on land which the Swaziland Government wishes to take.

Mr. Oram

Will my right hon. Friend tear in mind the special geographical situation of Swaziland, with its powerful and racialist neighbours, and the fact that this will mean that rapid progress to economic self-reliance is even more important to Swaziland than perhaps some other countries with which she deals? Can she assure the House that in allocating the sums of money which she has announced she has taken these special circumstances into account?

Mrs. Hart

Yes, indeed. I am very glad to tell my hon. Friend that I completely share his understanding of the special geographical difficulties of Swaziland. It is mainly for this reason that we have felt it right to give the amount of aid that I have just announced, which is generous, and, I hope, I will help the Swaziland Government to make the kind of rapid developments they wish to see.