§ Mr. Charles Morrisonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on future aid to Lesotho.
§ Mr. WoodSubject to the approval of Parliament, I have agreed to make available to the Government of Lesotho budgetary grants of up to £580,000 in 1971–72 and up to £600,000 in 1972–73. I have also agreed to make development grants of £1½ millions for each of the two years. This offer has been accepted by the Lesotho Government. I shall consider providing a limited amount of additional aid, within the limits imposed by the aid programme as a whole, if it appears that Lesotho can effectively absorb additional development funds. The full range of technical assistance, at present about £250,000 a year, will continue to be available.