§ Mr. Terry Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will seek to direct more of Britain's African aid programme towards increasing domestic food production.
§ Mr. RaisonWe shall continue to help agriculture and food production, and are well aware of its importance, particularly in Africa. Much of our programme aid and technical co-operation, as well as our project aid, is already directed to this end. But it is important that these should reinforce sensible agricultural policies on the part of the recipient Governments.
§ Mr. Terry Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Her Majesty's Government will make it its policy to support the use of the $200 million pledged to the International Development Association supplementary fund to support the World Bank's programme for action on Africa and the international fund for agricultural development.
§ Mr. RaisonThere are many competing claims on the aid programme. We are discussing with the World Bank the best way to take forward its proposals on sub-Saharan Africa. If agreement is reached on a replenishment for the international fund for agricultural development, the Government would contribute on a basis to be decided following the usual consultation among donors.