§ 3.20 p.m.
§ Lord HATCH of LUSBYMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government what amounts of aid have been provided for Sierra Leone over the past three years.
1553Barones LLEWELYN-DAVIES of HASTOEMy Lords, our expenditure in 1976 was £883,000, and £1.7 million in 1977. Final figures for 1978 are not yet available but £870,000 had been spent up to 30th September, 1978.
§ Lord HATCH of LUSBYMy Lords, I thank my noble friend for that Answer. Perhaps I should declare an interest in that it is well known that I have worked in close association with the Government of Sierra Leone, as with other African Governments, for many years. Would my noble friend not agree that this is a lamentably small sum in view of the long relationship between this country and Sierra Leone, parts of which have left Sierra Leone with her current problems? Would she confirm that, although we all applaud the assistance given to that excellent African leader President Jawara of The Gambia, The Gambia is receiving 10 times as much aid per capita as is Sierra Leone?
§ Baroness LLEWELYN-DAVIES of HASTOEMy Lords, my original Answer referred to direct aid from the British Government to the Sierra Leone Government. I am, of course, aware of my noble friend's concern for Sierra Leone and his recent visit to that country. As well as the direct aid, we are donating through the European Development Fund—helping towards the development of Sierra Leone—something like £4 million for the current programme. I do not think that we should be chided for unnecessary parsimony.
§ Lord ELTONMy Lords, is it not true that the population of that country is about 2½ million and that therefore, on a per capita basis this is a fairly considerable grant?
§ Baroness LLEWELYN-DAVIES of HASTOEMy Lords, I should not like to confirm the figure, but I think that it is about right. It is very difficult to compare the per capita figure because the conditions are so different, but I do not feel ashamed of it.
§ Lord HATCH of LUSBYMy Lords, especially in view of the recent visit of a team from the Ministry of Overseas Development, do the Government have 1554 any intention of increasing this aid during the current and future years?
§ Baroness LLEWELYN-DAVIES of HASTOEYes, my Lords. As my noble friend has said, an aid mission went to Sierra Leone in November to investigate possible projects for aid. Its report and recommendations are being considered now.