HC Deb 14 October 1975 vol 897 cc685-6W
Mr. Spearing

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what specific requests he has received from the Zambian Government for advice or assistance in respect of rural development since 1970; and which of his development divisions is responsible for advising firms and collecting information concerning rural development in Zambia.

Mr. Prentice

Since 1970 a number of requests from the Zambian Government in the field of rural development have been received and met. These were mainly for specialist staff, and I will write to my hon. Friend with details. Although it assists on occasion, the Southern African Development Division has no formal responsibility in relation to Zambia. Advice to firms is a matter for the commercial section of the British High Commission in Lusaka; information on rural development is collected by my headquarters advisers and other staff.