§ 18. Mr. Scott-Hopkinsasked the Minister of Overseas Development what progress is being made in the road construction programme in Nepal which is the United Kingdom contribution of aid to that country.
§ Mrs. HartIn March this year an agreement was signed covering United Kingdom aid towards the construction of a 74-mile sector of the main East/West highway, at an estimated cost to the aid programme of £4.75 million.
The United Kingdom Ministry of Public Building and Works has been appointed as construction agency. A base camp was made ready for occupation by the outbreak of the summer monsoon in July. Several miles of forest have been cleared, and road construction at the western end has now begun.