§ 48. Mr. Ioan Evansasked the Minister of Overseas Development if she will make a statement about new British aid to India.
§ Mrs. HartDuring my visit to India last July I pledged new aid to India totalling £144 million. Details of five grant agreements, turning these pledges into firm commitments were signed in Delhi last month, and are as follows
£70 million maintenance grant to finance the import of British components, spares and industrial materials,£30 million project grant to finance equipment from Britain for major projects,2W£20 million capital investment grant to finance other capital goods from Britain,£20 million sector grant to finance goods from Britain for specified priority sectors of the Indian economy—at present power and coal, and£4 million debt refinancing grant. This is not tied to British goods and services, and represents the British contribution to a debt relief scheme agreed by members of the Aid India Consortium.