§ 31. Mr. Ian Lloydasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement indicating what criteria were employed in deciding to allocate aid funds to the Southern African development co-ordination conference.
§ Mr. RaisonOur pledges were made to help conference member countries to take practical measures that will contribute effectively to their greater economic development and co-ordination.
§ Mr. LloydDoes not this organisation follow ideas and criteria almost identical to those of the new international economic order which, as my right hon. Friend knows, is neither new nor international nor economic? Is it sensible for British taxpayers' funds to be used to subsidise an organisation whose prime purpose is to make water run uphill?
§ Mr. RaisonNo, Sir. My hon. Friend is too hard. The projects that we are supporting through the SADCC are of value in helping the countries that belong to it to step up their own developments. The regional co-operation, especially in transport, which the SADCC encourages, can be of real value.