HC Deb 01 March 1962 vol 654 cc174-5W
Mr. J. H. Osborn

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps he is taking to publicise adequately the value and volume of British aid, as a part of Western aid, as distinct from Russian aid, which is already being given considerable publicity, in those colonies which receive this aid.

Mr. Maudling

The value and volume of British aid is an important and continuing theme in the official information services. Aspects of British aid are dealt with at every suitable opportunity in the Press and feature articles services of the C.O.I. and in the official communiques of the Colonial Office. Special booklets were distributed to mark the tenth anniversaries of the 1945 Colonial Development and Welfare Act and of the Colombo Plan, and overseas aid is referred to in other booklets when appropriate, e.g. in the booklets published to mark the progress of territories to independence. Overseas posts have also been sent reference papers on various aspects of aid as well as copies of relevant White Papers among which I would particularly mention the White Paper, on Technical Assistance presented to Parliament in March, 1961, jointly by the Foreign Secretary, the Commonwealth Secretary and my predecessor (Cmnd. 1308); and the earlier White Paper presented by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on Assistance for Overseas Development in March, 1960 (Cmnd. 974). Distinguished persons going overseas and newspapermen having a particular interest in the subject are on occasion specially briefed on overseas aid.

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