HC Deb 04 August 1976 vol 916 cc830-1W
Mr. Gwilym Roberts

asked the Minister for Overseas Development if he will increase British bilateral technical cooperation for Namibia.

Mr. Prentice

We can only provide training on a limited scale for Namibians living outside Namibia and the Republic of South Africa. My right hon. Friend the Member for Lanark (Mrs. Hart), then Minister for Overseas Development, announced on 28th April 1975—[Vol. 891, c. 47]—that she would be providing up to £35,000 in that year in respect of 20 awards for training in this country and for other educational needs. These training places are progressively being taken up. I am increasing technical co-operation for Namibia on a basis which will enable Namibians, put forward by SWAPO and by other organisations, who are likely to meet their country's manpower needs after independence, who are appropriately qualified, and who are resident outside Namibia and the Republic of South Africa, to take up suitable training places.

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