HC Deb 18 July 1977 vol 935 cc363-4W
Mr. Madden

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what is the total extent of aid being given to Chile; and if she will publish details of aid given on an annual basis over the last 10 years.

Mr. Tomlinson

Gross disbursements on aid to Chile and assistance to Chileans for the years 1967 to 1976 were:

£000
1967 403.5
1968 289.4
1969 725.0
1970 233.1
1971 242.4
1972 533.6
1973 577.2
1974 450.9
1975 324.2
1976 942.8

My right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Overseas Development announced in the House on 27th March 1974—[Vol. 871, c. 426]—that there would be no new aid to Chile and that she was stopping all present aid except that concerned with the support of Chilean students and graduates coming to Britain, which she was prepared to extend. She also said that she was allowing the completion of one or two minor technical assistance projects. The figures for 1974 to 1976 therefore represent almost exclusively aid given through the World University Service (UK) to Chilean graduates and students whose academic work had been interrupted by the coup, assistance to Chilean co-operatives through the Catholic Association for Overseas Development, assistance through international organisations and a small training programme arranged through normal channels.

In the current financial year £1.71 million is allocated to the World University Service scheme and £170,000 to the training of other Chilean students.