§ 66. Sir F. Bennettasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what is the latest figure during 1968 to date of direct Exchequer expenditure in the maintenance of sanctions against Rhodesia, including the cost of the naval and air patrols off the East African coast, and all indirect costs including extra financial assistance to Zambia, both in absolute terms and in relation to the balance of payments.
§ Mr. WhitlockThe direct cost of payments by the Exchequer, including aid to Zambia, was £34½ million between i.d.i. and 31st May, 1968.
The cost to the United Kingdom balance of payments cannot be precisely estimated. In 1967 this cost, excluding any effect of the Rhodesia situation on the price of copper, was probably not very different from the figure for 1966, given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the House on 16th March, 1967.