HC Deb 06 May 1963 vol 677 cc23-4W
Mr. Skeet

asked the Secretary for Technical Co-operation what was the total value of technical aid authorised and allocated by the United Kingdom Government to overseas Commonwealth territories during the past year; and what are the estimates for the ensuing two years.

Mr. Vosper

Approximately £20.3 million was spent by my Department on bilateral technical aid to the Commonwealth in 1962–63. The corresponding amount included in my Department's estimates for 1963–64 is £25.18 million. In addition, assistance amounting to £ .65 million in 1962–63 and estimated at £ .81 million in 1963–64 is given by my Department in the support of home-based technical assistance organisations and institutions concerned with overseas development; most of this assistance is directed to the Commonwealth. Commonwealth countries also receive technical aid from the United Nations Special Fund, the Expanded Programme of Technical Assistance and U.N.1.C.E.F., which are financed by member countries. The United Kingdom's contributions to these funds was £3.2 million in 1962 and £3.9 million in 1963.

Estimates of expenditure for 1964-65 are not yet available.