§ Mr. Worsleyasked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will make a statement about military assistance by Her Majesty's Government to the Sudan Government.
§ Mr. HeathMy hon. Friend will have seen the announcement in the Press on 6th April. The Sudan has made a good recovery from the economic crisis through which it passed two years ago. But the country has still a long way to go along the path to full development, and the Government have many calls on their financial resources, in particular for economic development and essential defence requirements. The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the United States Government have given much help in development, and we who have for long had such close and friendly ties with the Sudan are anxious to play our part. The Sudanese army is largely modelled on British lines in its equipment and organisation and it was natural therefore that the Sudan Government should turn to us for help on the military side.
This subject was discussed with Major-General Hassan Beshir Nasr, the Sudanese Chief of Staff and Minister for Cabinet Affairs, during his recent visit to this country. The gift which, as a result of those discussions, we are proposing to make consists of four armed jet Provost aircraft, six Saladin armoured cars and twelve Ferret Scout Cars, together with some pilot training. The proportion of armoured cars to 46W scout cars can be varied, if required, within the same total value. Some of the equipment is needed at once by the Sudan and we propose to begin shipping certain items as soon as they are available.
The total cost of the gift will be not more than £600,000 and the House will in due course be asked to approve the necessary financial provision for reimbursement to the Service Departments by way of a Supplementary Estimate for Foreign Office Grants and Services.