§ Mr. Elystan Morganasked the Minister of Overseas Development whether, in view of the development of famine conditions in India, Her Majesty's Government will now increase the aid programme for India in the current year.
§ Mr. BottomleyAt the recent meeting of the Aid-India Consortium in Paris, which considered India's requirements for food and quickly disbursing aid in 1967–68, Britain promised £19 million of non-project aid including £12 million of general purpose aid. This form of aid is acknowledged by the Government of India to be the way in which we can best help them to tackle their immediate116W problems including their special needs arising from the food shortage. The £19 million is an advance instalment of our aid to India for 1967–68. I cannot at this stage forecast how much we shall pledge or disburse in 1967–68; this will depend on negotiations and consultations with the Indian Government about the purposes, form and date of expected disbursements. India has, however, received, and will continue to receive, very sympathetic treatment within our aid programme. Something over £43 million was disbursed to India in 1966–67 compared with about £32 million in 1965–66.