HC Deb 23 November 1977 vol 939 cc770-1W
Mr. Brotherton

asked the Minister of Overseas Development (1) for what purpose her Department is making available a grant of £40,000 to Christian Aid; what sum was made available in 1976–77; and what steps are taken to monitor its expenditure;

(2) for what purpose her Department is making available a grant of £8,000 to the Beit Trust; what sum was made available last year; and what steps are taken to monitor its expenditure;

(3) for what purpose her Department is making available a grant of £1,285 to the Friends of Urambo and Mwanhala; what sum was made available in 1976–77; and what steps are taken to monitor its expenditure;

(4) for what purpose her Department is making available a grant of £7,210 to the Marr Munning Trust; what sum was made available in 1976–77; and what steps are taken to monitor its expenditure.

Mrs. Hart

All these grants are being made under the joint funding scheme which I announced on 8th May 1975, under which my Ministry can give support to British voluntary agencies towards the cost of overseas development projects. The scheme is intended to help the agencies extend their development work among the poor in the developing countries, and the Ministry's contribution is normally given on a pound-for-pound basis.

The grant to Christian Aid was for rural health projects in Ecuador, Haiti and Tanzania and an agricultural project in Zambia; that to the Beit Trust for a building for the treatment and rehabilitation of handicapped young people in Rhodesia; that to the Friends of Urambo and Mwanhala for a village betterment programme in North-West Tanzania; and that to the Marr-Munning Trust for a water supply for a school and community centre in central Kenya.

In 1976–77, £12,084 was issued to Christian Aid, £10,863 to the Beit Trust and £6,170 to the Friends of Urambo and Mwanhala. No funds were issued to the Marr-Munning Trust in that year.

Agencies receiving support under the scheme have to account for the expenditure and provide regular reports. Throughout the life of a project, my Ministry remains in close touch with the agency concerned.