HC Deb 19 March 1970 vol 798 cc582-3
5. Mr. Tilney

asked the Minister of Overseas Development, whether she is planning further aid to Ghana, in view of the burden of debt inherited by the Ghana Government.

Mr. Whitaker

When my right hon. Friend met the Prime Minister of Ghana, Dr. Busia, last October, she informed him that our interest-free loan aid in the financial year 1970–71 would be not less than £4.25 million.

Mr. Tilney

But since Great Britain is the biggest creditor of Ghana, in any discussion on the re-scheduling of Ghana's national debt will Her Majesty's Government be as sympathetic as possible with the new democratic Government of Ghana who are faced with unemployment and other difficulties not of their own creation?

Mr. Whitaker

We are, of course, acutely aware of the problems of the new Government in Ghana and are considering whether we should have a meeting with other creditor Governments this year to co-ordinate what can be done about their debt problem.