§ 32. Mr. Tilneyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he is now able to make a statement as regards the default by Ghana on some of her obligations and the effect
§ Mr. PavittI am grateful for that reply. Will the right hon. Gentleman pay a tribute to his Department for the excellence of some of these courses, especially those in the last three or four years, in association with various universities? At the same time, however, will he step up this provision? There is no doubt that the most helpful thing that one can do in the developing countries is to help them to lift themselves up. This can best be done by these mutual associations, both economic and social and, in order to do that, they need the educational facilities to provide them with the tools.
§ Mr. WoodI am glad that the hon. Gentleman concurs in my view that these are useful. Of course, this is only part of our programme. Perhaps as important a part is the building up of facilities in the countries themselves, for instance in Uganda recently, in Masindi, whereby the developing countries can continue the courses in their own countries.
§ Following is the information:
§ that default will have on British aid to Ghana.
§ Mr. WoodHer Majesty's Government are in touch with the other creditor and donor countries and with the World Bank. I am afraid that there is still nothing I can usefully add to the 1025 reply I gave my hon. Friend on 14th February.—[Vol. 831, c. 2.]
§ Mr. TilneyHas Ghana defaulted on her obligations to countries other than Great Britain? How can we restore any credit-worthiness to Ghana at present?
§ Mr. WoodThere has been a general default and that is why we are discussing with other nations what the proper action should be. But we still hope that wiser counsels will prevail in Ghana. That is why I would prefer not to say anything further at present.