§ 48. Mr. Welshasked the Lord Privy Seal with which countries Her Majesty's Government have negotiated new aid agreements during the past year.
§ Mr. Neil MartenSince the beginning of 1980 we have signed a total of 21 new capital aid agreements. These cover aid to 15 independent countries and one regional project under the auspices of the Caribbean Development Bank. I am arranging for the agreements to be listed in the Official Report.
§ Mr. WelshMay I thank the Minister for that information? Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the Gracious Speech recognised the problems of many developing countries and stated:
My Government recognise the serious economic problems that affect … developing countries and will continue … in seeking to alleviate them.What new money will be used? What new aid will be given to developing countries to alleviate their difficulties, to which reference is made in the Gracious Speech?
§ Mr. MartenMuch of the money that we shall be spending will be new money. To that extent we are helping developing countries.
§ Mr. Robert HughesWill the Minister say how he thinks his remarks at the Southern African Development Co-ordinating Conference No. 2 will be received when he expressed the view that those who want to develop their countries must rely on EEC money and will get no help from Britain?
§ Mr. MartenI do not recognise the words that the hon. Gentleman quotes as words that I spoke. I did say that there will be a variety of sources of money for the Southern African development scheme, of which one will be the EDF.
§ Following is the information:
| NEW AID AGREEMENTS SIGNED SINCE 1 JANUARY 1980 | ||
| £'000 | ||
| Madagascar | Equipment and Spares for Aircraft Overhaul and Maintenance Centre* | 600 |
| Malawi | Programme Grant | 6,000 |
| Sudan | Power III Project | 61,000 |
| Tanzania | Bus Chassis and Spares* | 481 |
| Uganda | Maintenance Aid | 4,000 |
| Zaire | ImportFinancing/Maintenance | 2,000 |
| Zambia | Development Projects | 10,000 |
| Zimbabwe | Reconstruction Grant | 7,000 |
| Burma | Jute Carpet Backing Plant* | 1,179 |
| Marine Diesel Engines* | 1,202 | |
| Gas Turbines* | 751 | |
| India | Mixed Projects | 70,000 |
| Local Costs (RTA 1980/81) | 33,185 | |
| Coal Sector Grant | 11,000 | |
| Maldives | Electricity Distribution | 370 |
| Malaysia | Airport Plan and Development* | 450 |
| Pakistan | 3 SD-18 Cargo Vessels* | 9,600 |
| Philippines | Mini-Hydro Electric Project* | 4,510 |
| Wood Burning Power Station* | 1,967 | |
| Turkey | Industrial Goods (Maintenance Aid) | 15,000 |
| Caribbean Development Bank | HS 748 Aircraft (regional project)* | 2,600 |
| * Aid programme contribution financed from the Aid and Trade Provision (ATP). |