§ Mr. James Johnsonasked the Minister of Overseas Development what progress has been made by the Commonwealth Development Corporation in extending its commitments in the poorer countries and in renewable natural resources projects.
§ Mrs. HartAs announced by my predecessor in reply to a Question by the8W hon. Member for Sheffield, Heeley (Mr. Hooley) on 7th August 1975—[Vol. 897, c. 459–60]—the Corporation decided after discussions with my Ministry to seek increasingly to place its new commitments in these areas over the five years 1975 to 1979. A joint review this summer by CDC and ODM of progress towards this objective has shown that 65 per cent. of the new commitments up to 30th June 1977 were in the renewable natural resources sector and 84 per cent. were in poorer countries. This emphasis in CDC's programme harmonises with Britain's aid strategy of helping the world's poorest people and of promoting rural development and food production. I very much welcome this and have so informed CDC's chairman. I look forward to a continuation of the close and constructive relationship that has been established between CDC and my Ministry, both in London and overseas.