§ 54. Mr. Proctorasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has any plans to make changes in the British aid programme to Zimbabwe.
§ The Minister for Overseas Development (Mr. Neil Marten)Before answering this question may I express my sadness at the death of Mr. Frank McElhone, who shadowed me for three years.
The answer to the question is "No, Sir."
§ Mr. ProctorWill my right hon. Friend give an assurance that if there were any changes in the constitution of Zimbabwe, leading to a one-party State, he would review the matter again.
§ Mr. MartenThat would depend on when the changes took place. If constitutional changes took place after the period fixed by the Lancaster House agreement it would be an internal matter for the Zimbabwe nation, which would have to decide whether to have a one-party State, such as Kenya, or continue with the two-party State.
§ Mr. Brocklebank-FowlerWhat proportion of the funds allocated for land purchase have been disbursed? What progress has the Minister made in persuading other Governments to contribute to an international fund for purchasing further land for resettlement?
§ Mr. MartenWe understand that, to date, the Netherlands, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia have committed funds for resettlement, together with the European development fund and the African Development Bank. Some Governments have been prepared to meet the cost 308 of land purchase, but the money is available as soft loans, and Zimbabwe operates on grants. I cannot give precise details about expenditure to date.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggWhen the Minister holds discussions with the Zimbabwe Government about changes in the aid programme, will he make the point that the British Government are dissatisfied that many Britush citizens have had their funds frozen in Zimbabwe? We want some of those funds released.
§ Mr. MartenI absolutely agree with my hon. Friend. We have made representations to the Zimbabwe Government, who have, on occasions, released funds when people have been in desperate circumstances. However, Zimbabwe cannot release all funds until its balance of payments has improved.