§ Mr. Braineasked the Secretary of of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps Her Majesty's Government have taken to maintain the aid programme of the International Development Association, in view of the fact that the third replenishment of the association did not come into effect on 1st July, 1971.
§ Mr. WoodOn 1st July my right hon. Friend the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary sent a personal message to Mr. McNamara, the President of the International Development Association. In it he pledged immediately $50 million to the Association, under the terms of the draft Order approved by the House of Commons on 9th June, and made clear420W that a further pledge of up to $53.68 million would be made as soon as enough countries are firmly committed to seeking legislative authority for parallel contributions. The money we have pledged, together with the amounts which are also to be made available by the Governments of Canada, Denmark and Finland, should enable the Association to continue its commitment programme for some time.