§ 56. Mr. Charles Wardleasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has for providing aid to China.
§ Mr. RaisonWe have offered the Chinese Government support under the aid and trade provision to enable banks to make long-term loans at 5 per cent. interest per annum for agreed development projects worth £300 million. In addition, we provided in excess of £2 million for a technical co-operation programme in 1985–86 and we expect to spend more in 1986–87.
§ Mr. WardleI am grateful to my right hon. Friend for that reply. Does he agree that education and manpower training are fundamental to China's development? What are the Government doing to help meet that need?
§ Mr. RaisonI agree with my hon. Friend. We are running an important English language training programme and funding scholarships, mainly at postgraduate level, to Chinese students in science and technology and assisting the Chinese through British consultancies.