HC Deb 19 March 1979 vol 964 cc1091-2
33. Mr. Adley

asked the Minister for Overseas Development if she will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's proposed aid programme to Angola.

Mrs. Hart

The question of an aid programme to Angola is at present under consideration.

Mr. Adley

For how much longer can the right hon. Lady fail to tell the House what is happening to taxpayers' money? If there is information in her Department to the effect that taxpayers' money will be spent on Angola, is it not about time she told the House, one way or the other?

Mrs. Hart

I refer the hon. Gentleman to his question to me in January, when I told him in reply that we were considering assistance to Angola for the Benguela railway and that a study of British consultants had been commissioned for that purpose. We have not yet received the report. Perhaps the hon. Gentleman has more information on the matter than I have.

Mr. Hooley

Will our aid to Angola include any help to the victims of the massacre at Cassinga carried out by the South African Air Force?

Mrs. Hart

That is not really a question for me. I do not have that information.

Mr. Rhodes James

Does the Minister agree that it is high time the House again debated the entire issue of overseas aid and the Government's involvement in it? Is it not intolerable that although there are differing views about the subject 18 months have elapsed since the House last had an opportunity of debating this programme?

Mrs. Hart

I entirely agree with the hon. Gentleman. When I was Shadow spokesman for the Opposition I succeeded in getting half a Supply day for an overseas aid debate. Perhaps the hon. Gentleman, who I know has tried, will succeed in his efforts in that respect.