HC Deb 19 November 1981 vol 13 cc183-4W
Mr. Nicholas Winterton

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will make a statement on aid to be given to Zimbabwe in the near future.

Mr. Neil Marten

The £75 million of British development aid announced at the time of Zimbabwe's independence is for commitment over a three-year period. Further aid for Zimbabwe totalling £15 million was committed at the Zimbabwe conference on reconstruction and development.

In addition, Britain is providing some £8 million towards the cost of railway electrification and some £14 million to enable Zimbabwe students being financed by Britain at the time of independence to complete their existing courses.

Aid to be provided to Zimbabwe in the near future will be drawn from these pledges. Substantial commitments against the pledges have been made and implementation is well under way.