HC Deb 10 November 1975 vol 899 cc915-8
36. Mr. Hurd

asked the Minister for Overseas Development whether he will make a further statement on his discussions with his EEC colleagues on aid from the Community to Commonwealth countries in South Asia.

39. Mr. Corbett

asked the Minister for Overseas Development what progress he has made in encouraging the European Economic Community to improve its financial aid to non-associated developing countries to assist in raising food output.

The Minister for Overseas Development (Mr. Reg Prentice)

Since my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Sheffield, Heeley (Mr. Hooley) on 15th October—[Vol. 897, c. 710–11.]—a modest 3.5 million units of account aid programme has been agreed to help promote the exports of the non-associated developing countries in 1976. The Council of Ministers, on 13th October, failed to reach agreement on a programme of financial aid to non-associated developing countries that would have assisted these countries in increasing their food production. Discussion is continuing about the possibility of a Community contribution to the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).

Mr. Hurd

Does the Minister recognise the connection between this and other Community matters? If the Foreign Secretary persists in dragging his feet on a Community approach to such matters as energy, the energy conference and direct elections, does it not make the right hon. Gentleman's position much weaker when he is trying to argue for a Community approach to this subject, where a Community approach happens to suit our national interest?

Mr. Prentice

No, Sir. I see no logical connecton between the two. At the Council of Ministers on 13th October, the argument to which the hon. Member refers was not used against me or against the other countries which were supporting the Commission's proposal for aid to non-associates.

Mr. Corbett

Does my right hon. Friend accept that it is a matter of deep regret that, 14 or 15 months after making the original general commitment, the Council of Ministers has still not found it possible to carry out this pledge of extra aid for the non-associated territories? I note the Secretary of State's pledge not to accept "Non" or "Nein" for an answer, but is my right hon. Friend able to say when he expects to get "Oui" or "Ja" out of the Council?

Mr. Prentice

I certainly agree that it is a matter for regret, which was expressed on both sides of the House in the debate we had on Friday. I hope that the unanimity of parliamentary opinion here will be noted in other European countries. Certainly, I hope to return to this matter as early as possible, and I hope to see another meeting of the Council of Development Ministers as early as possible. Meanwhile, we shall use other methods to try to persuade them to a different point of view. As to whether I accept "Nein" for an answer, I am having a meeting with my German opposite number the week after next.

Mr. Michael Marshall

Does the right hon. Gentleman accept that those of us, on both sides of the House, who returned from India today from the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association conference were once more forcibly reminded of the particular problems of India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, following the increased energy costs. Will the right hon. Gentleman say a little more about what he is doing personally within the EEC context to try to bring a sharper focus to the EEC approach in these areas?

Mr. Prentice

Yes, Sir. The main reason why Britain and some other European countries are pressing for a wider aid programme from the Community for the present non-associates is our concern with the situation in Southern Asia, and in India in particular. India is an under-aided country compared with other aid recipients throughout the world. More should be done for India, and, in particular, the Community should have an aid programme there.

Mr. Spearing

Recalling that one of the arguments used for entering the European Community was that of giving greater aid to the Third World, does not my right hon. Friend think it possible that, because the general system of preferences of the EEC is now inferior to those which we gave to the South-East Asian nations, the continued refusal of the EEC to take action on its commitment could mean that they are now worse off vis-à-vis this country in terms of aid?

Mr. Prentice

The system of preferences is a matter which is being pursued. As my hon. Friend knows, it is one for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade.

Regarding the aid programme for India and other countries, many hon. Members said in the debate on Friday that they had campaigned for continued British membership of the EEC on the assumption that it would be outward-looking in such matters as the one we are discussing, and this is regarded by many hon. Members as a test case.