HC Deb 16 March 1981 vol 1 cc17-8
45. Mr. Canavan

asked the Lord Privy Seal what recent representations he has received about further aid for Zimbabwe.

Mr. Neil Marten

We are in close touch with the Zimbabwe Government about all aspects of our aid programme. As regards people in this country, I have received a number of letters urging the provision of further aid to Zimbabwe and a similar number suggesting that we have already done too much.

Mr. Canavan

In view of the urgent need for a multimillion pound development programme in Zimbabwe and the lofty promises made by Britain at the Lancaster House conference, will the Minister increase the miserable offer that the Government have made so far? If the Treasury really is bankrupt, why does he not demand that the oil companies, including BP, hand over to the Zimbabwe Government the millions of pounds in profits that they made by breaking sanctions against the illegal Smith regime?

Mr. Marten

The latter part of that supplementary question, I am sure, is beyond the scope of this question. On the former part, I simply do not agree with the basis of the question. We have given £75 million in aid, £14 million in training and education, £7 million on ATP. That is a total of £96 million. In addition, there is £22 million forgiveness of debt relief, £33 million of debt has been rescheduled and we are also giving military assistance. That is not a bad record, but it must be up to the rest of the world, as well as ourselves, to help Zimbabwe.

Mr. Paul Dean

In view of the special difficulties that Zimbabwe faces following the war, and also the great economic prospects, will my hon. Friend think again about this and recognise that it might be wise to be generous now on the principle that prompt aid at this stage will do the most good and bring the best return?

Mr. Marten

I am very sympathetic to the line taken by my hon. Friend. I think that we must await the results of the donors' conference at which my right hon. Friend the Lord President of the Council will represent this country.

Mr. Guy Barnett

Is the Minister aware that the Zimbabwe Government reckon that it is in the next three years that the job needs to be done, and that generous aid is therefore needed during those three years in the hope that they can stand on their own feet after that? Will he also confirm that the money for Zimbabwean students in this country has not been included in the figure that he quoted for aid to Zimbabwe?

Mr. Marten

The figure of £14 million that I quoted is within the money, but we are considering further money. This will, however, have to await the outcome of the donors' conference. On the first part of the question, I agree that aid during the next three years is what is needed. I think that we have done extremely well. I repeat that one should await the outcome of the donors' conference.

46. Mr. Brocklebank-Fowler

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will make a further statement on the likely level of disbursement of aid to Zimbabwe in the current financial year.

Mr. Neil Marten

It is too soon to tell precisely how much we shall spend in aid to Zimbabwe in this financial year, but we expect the total to be about £14.5 million.

Mr. Brocklebank-Fowler

Will my hon. Friend consider making special funds available in the coming year to enable Zimbabweans currently at school in Britain to continue their education at British universities later this year?

Mr. Marten

Yes. These matters are under consideration at the moment.

Mr. McNamara

Does not the Minister agree that the Western world has a great deal at stake in regard to the success of Mr. Mugabe's Government in Zimbabwe? Is not it regrettable that, at this stage, he is not able to give a more positive indication about the extra assistance that is likely to be given by the Government at the donors' conference?

Mr. Marten

It is customary to announce at the donors' conference, and not beforehand, what aid, if any, one will give.