10. Mr. Milanasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions the Government has had with the new régime in Ghana regarding Ghana's foreign debts.
§ Mr. KershawNone.
§ 39. Mr. Tilneyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what effect the default by the Ghana Government on its debts will have on Great Britain's overseas aid to that country.
§ Mr. WoodThe default must have important implications for the aid programme in Ghana, but I am not yet in a position to make any announcement.
§ 53. Mr. Evelyn Kingasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what financial contribution has been made by Her Majesty's Government towards the cost of the yacht ordered by the former President Nkrumah of Ghana.
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§ Mr. KershawParliamentary authority has been sought, in respect of this frigate, in a Supplementary Estimate presented to the House today, for the release of the Government of Ghana from outstanding obligations totalling approximately .4.8 million.
§ Mr. Cordleasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what requests he has received from the Government of Ghana for further loans or other financial assistance.
§ Mr. Cordleasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the total amount of loans made by the United Kingdom Government to the Government of Ghana since independence; how much was still outstanding at the end of 1971; and what payments of capital and interest, respectively, are due to be made in each of the years 1972 to 1980.
§ Mr. Wood£27 million. At 31st December, 1971, amortisation outstanding was £21.9 million and the amount un-disbursed under the loans was £3.5 million. Payments of principal and interest due to be made in each of the years 1972 to 1980:
Voted Loans (O.D.A.) E.C.G.D. £000 £000 Principal Interest Principal Interest 1972 — 32 428 110 1973 320 63 281 93 1974 575 201 269 135 1975 710 643 116 108 1976 710 612 153 106 1977 810 581 160 98 1978 810 549 170 90 1979 810 517 128 60 1980 859 485 120 44 5,604 3,683 1,825 844 Total Principal: £7,429,000. Total Interest: £4,527,000. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister agreed with Dr. Busia, the former Prime Minister of Ghana, to relieve the Government of Ghana of their outstanding liability—about £5.8 million—in regard to the frigate purchased by the Nkrumah Government.
§ Mr. Cordleasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 4W what help has been given to Ghana under the United Kingdom overseas aid programme in each of the past five years; what forms the assistance has taken; and what forward commitments have been made.
§ Mr. WoodCommodity loans for British goods and services, and a debt refinance loan (1970–72) on all concessionary terms.
Disbursements were as follows:—
Calendar year £,000 1971 5,610 1970 4,400 1969 4,824 1968 5,083 1967 30 Technical assistance for the provision of British experts and consultancies, training in Britain and the British volunteer programme:—
Disbursements were as follows:—
£,000 1971 895 1970 933 1969 910 1968 646 1967 464 Forward commitments comprise:—
- (1) Commodity loan 1971–73 (£2 million)
- (2) Technical Assistance.