§ 63. Mr. Flanneryasked the Minister of Overseas Development if she has given extra aid to Bangladesh to help in its present difficulties.
§ 67. Mr. Whitlockasked the Minister of Overseas Development what assistance has been given to Bangladesh this year.
§ Mrs. HartTotal offers of British aid to Bangladesh this financial year, taking account both of its foreign exchange problem and the flood, are £9 million commodity aid and £20 million for development projects. 30,000 tonnes of wheat and supplies of drugs have also been sent. However, there are difficulties in spending money quickly in Bangladesh at present, and little project aid will be spent this year. I have promised another £10 million commodity loan when the present commodity aid is all committed. I expect, too, that Bangladesh will benefit from the Community's response to the United Nations emergency measures.