HL Deb 09 June 1989 vol 508 cc1057-8

11.7 a.m.

Lord Merrivale asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will make a statement on the visit from 22nd to 27th May last, of the Prime Minister of the People's Republic of Congo, HE Mr. Ange-Edouard Poungui, particularly in relation to bilateral aid and the investment promotion and protection agreement.

Lord Trefgarne

My Lords, the Prime Minister's programme included discussions with Ministers covering the full range of bilateral topics, including UK aid. An agreement with Congo on investment promotion and protection was signed during the visit. We welcome the valuable contribution to our relations with Congo which this visit has made.

Lord Merrivale

My Lords, I thank my noble friend for his reply. Can he confirm that the Government will ensure that the contents of this agreement are widely known—I am particularly thinking of members of the CBI and selected chambers of commerce—as Britain is the first country with which the Congo has signed such an agreement and at present only three British firms have significant investments in that country?

Lord Trefgarne

My Lords, I certainly agree that the main thrust of the agreement should be as widely known as is appropriate and I shall see what additional arrangements can be made to achieve that end.

Baroness Ewart-Biggs

My Lords, is the Minister aware that President Mitterrand announced some time ago that France would be writing off as much as £1.5 billion of debt owed from 35 African countries including the Congo? Will the Minister say whether Her Majesty's Government have any plans to relieve African countries such as the Congo of debt following the example set by President Mitterrand?

Lord Trefgarne

My Lords, I am not sure that the formula which the French have decided to adopt, which no doubt meets their own requirements, is necessarily the best in every circumstance. We like to target our aid to those countries in greatest need in a way which we think will do the greatest good. That is why we have a slightly different approach to these matters than our French friends. We have a small aid programme as regards the Congo, as the noble Baroness will be aware. But the Congo is not among the poorest countries of Africa. Its annual income per head is something in the region of 1,000 dollars which may not sound very much but is substantially more than in many countries in that part of the world.

Lord Merrivale

My Lords, as my noble friend mentioned aid, were there any discussions regarding increased aid involving the British Council? And were there any talks regarding the resumption of work on the major Brazzaville to Kindamba road as the management contract was initially awarded to a British firm?

Lord Trefgarne

My Lords, on the last project to which my noble friend referred, I believe that that is a matter between the authorities in the Congo and the companies concerned. I do not believe that Her Majesty's Government are specifically involved. The discussions which took place in the course of this visit were wide ranging and a number of issues to which my noble friend has referred were touched upon. However, the important outcome was the signature of the agreement to which I referred earlier.