§ Mr. Worsleyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what further action Her Majesty's Government propose to take in order to assist the Government of Laos in supporting the economy of that country.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerAn International Monetary Fund team has recommended that the Laotian Government should implement a programme of internal financial retrenchment, which together with further foreign help is designed to stabilise the free market value of the kip. To this end Her Majesty's Government have agreed to subscribe the equivalent of $1.7 million (about £607,000) to a joint Stabilisation Fund, to which the United States, France and Australia will also contribute. An announcement to this effect was made on 1st November. The Fund will be run by an independent expert. Parliament will in due course be asked to vote by means of a supplementaryestimate the amount required in the current financial year, and meanwhile advances will be obtained from the Civil Contingencies Fund. There may be a continuing liability for a share of the Controller's remuneration and administrative assistance.