§ Mr. PawseyTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, further to his reply of 29 November to the hon. Member for Rugby and Kenilworth, what is his forecast for aid for Sri Lanka for 1990–91; what type of projects in Sri Lanka are likely to attract British overseas aid; and what additional aid will be made available to Sri Lanka following the damage and injury caused by civil disturbance.
§ Mr. MaudeBritain supports a wide range of projects in Sri Lanka in the education, power, roads and natural resources sectors. Last year a grant of £20 million was signed for reconstruction aid, including the provision of vehicles, railway track, hospital and educational equipment, and support for NGO programmes. The grant has not yet been fully allocated to specific uses, and projects under consideration with the Sri Lankan Government include road rehabilitation and forestry. Britain is also considering providing balance of payments support as part of an economic reform programme which the Sri Lankan authorities are discussing with the IMF and IBRD. Aid expenditure in 1990–91 is uncertain at this stage, and will depend upon a number of factors, including any delays caused by civil disturbances.