§ 40. Mr. Harry GreenwayTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has any plans to aid development in poor areas in South Africa; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. ChalkerWe are already doing so. Our bilateral aid programme for black South Africans is designed to benefit people disadvantaged by apartheid throughout South Africa. We are involved in education, housing, community development and health.
§ Mr. GreenwayDoes my right hon. Friend agree that the welcome ending of apartheid must mean—
§ Mr. Tony BanksIt has not ended.
§ Mr. GreenwayThe approaching end of apartheid—I accept the hon. Gentleman's point—must mean that the South African economy will develop more rapidly and strongly? Will not that benefit all sections of the community and if there is any danger of its not doing so, will my right hon. Friend do all that she can to ensure that it does?
§ Mrs. ChalkerWe have repeatedly stressed that the lifting of the apartheid legislation in South Africa should pave the way for investment into South Africa. The one thing that the black South African needs more than anything is investment in industry and training. That should happen as soon as possible. We have made good 647 progress in the European context. Good progress is being made in South Africa. I welcome the announcement at the ANC conference that there was a need for flexibility in the lifting of sanctions.
§ Mr. SpeakerMr. Kenneth Baker—statement.
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. I thought that the hon. Gentleman had just been told that I take points of order in their usual place immediately after statements.
§ Mr. SpeakerNo, not after questions—after the statements.