§ Mr. Robert Jenkinsasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what help Her Majesty's Government propose to give to the Jordanian Government, whether by direct financial aid or by technical training assistance for their armed forces.
§ Mr. ProfumoAs announced in the Press on 15th September, 1958, Her Majesty's Government decided, subject to Parliamentary approval, to make a grant in aid of £1 million to the Jordanian Budget for the financial year ending 31st March, 1959. Parliamentary approval will be sought in due course by way of a supplementary estimate. In the meantime advances are being made from the Civil Contingencies Fund.
As my right hon. Friend said in reply to the hon. Member for Derby, South (Mr. P. Noel-Baker) on 26th November, Her Majesty's Government are providing technical and training assistance for the Jordanian forces. Parliamentary approval will be sought in due course by way of a Supplementary Estimate for the expenses of the attachments mentioned in that reply, and of certain preliminary training given to Jordanian pilots in the United Kingdom. It is estimated that 295W the total cost will be in the region of £75,000 of which about £44,000 will be needed in the current financial year.
Improvements to the Port of Aqaba during the presence of our forces in Jordan last summer necessitated some small expenditure for which Parliamentary approval will be sought by way of a supplementary estimate as soon as details are known.
All the above charges will be borne on the Foreign Office Grants and Services Vote.