HC Deb 02 July 1964 vol 697 cc287-8W
Mr. F. M. Bennett

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations and the Colonies whether he will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT details, as far as possible in tabular form, of the further aid which Her Majesty's Government propose to offer to Northern Rhodesia, Southern Rhodesia and Nyasaland; to what extent the proposed aid will take account of the burden of debt assumed by the three territories at the dissolution of the Federation; how much of this aid will be in the form of gifts and loans and of budgetary assistance, respectively; how much will be allocated to development projects; and how much will be in respect of compensation of Her Majesty's Oversea Civil Service.

Mr. Sandys

On the dissolution of the Federation the British Government undertook to discuss with the Southern and Northern Rhodesia Governments the resulting financial situation, including the possibility of British aid, taking into account the debt burden which they had assumed. The following table gives details of the aid already agreed and the further aid which it has been decided to make available to Southern Rhodesia. Northern Rhodesia, and Nyasaland.

— Southern Rhodesia Northern Rhodesia Nyasaland
£m. £m. £m.
Gift towards recurrent budget — — 4.27*
Gifts in respect of ex Federal short-term debt 4† 2.75† 0.73*
Loans towards costs of compensation for H.M.O.C.S. — 3‡ 1.75*
Gifts for development — — 3
Gift for University College 1.85* — —

Notes

* Aid already announced.

† To be made available as to half as soon as possible and half in April, 1965.

‡ This loan will be made available on the normal terms for such loans.

The British Government will be ready to discuss further with the Northern and Southern Rhodesia Governments, separately, in the autumn, the question of what aid, if any, might be provided for development and other purposes. Discussions about further aid for Nyasaland will be held in November. The House will be asked in due course to vote the necessary estimates; in the meantime advances for urgent items will be sought from the Civil Contingencies Fund.