§ 39. Mr. Canavanasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the total value of projects in the Philippines being assisted by the Commonwealth Development Corporation.
§ Mr. RaisonThe total is £11.4 million: a loan of £5 million to the Private Development Corporation of the Philippines and a loan of £6.4 million to the National Development Corporation—Guthrie Plantations Inc. for an oil palm project.
§ Mr. CanavanIs there still time for the Minister to postpone final approval of the CDC plan to invest in a plantation project at La Paz and Loreto until he has investigated reports of the appearance of armed groups of paramilitaries similar to the Lost Command who resort to extortion from and intimidation of workers? Will the Minister take steps to ensure, if possible, the removal of any such terrorists from the area before the CDC receives the final go-ahead for its investment plans?
§ Mr. RaisonThe project is going ahead. Both the CDC and I are satisfied that the arrangements that it has made for monitoring the undertakings that it received will be effective. The CDC has the right to withhold loan disbursements after 30 June if those undertakings are not observed to its satisfaction.
§ Mr. Bowen WellsDoes my right hon. Friend agree that the proposed investment by the CDC in the Philippines will improve the economy and produce for the first time in that poor area a cash crop which will so strengthen the peasants that they will be able to resist the blandishments and force of the paramilitary groups that have been operating there?
§ Mr. RaisonI believe that my hon. Friend is right. The new security force is being trained and should replace the present one by the end of June.