§ Mr. Rowlandasked the Minister of Overseas Development whether she will make a statement about aid by Her Majesty's Government to Bolivia.
§ Mrs. CastleMy Department has recently held discussions with the Bolivian Minister of Mines as a result of which I hope that arrangements will shortly be concluded for a loan of £½ million under Section 3 of the Export Guarantees Act 1949 for the purchase of mining machinery and heavy equipment. This is the first part of a loan totalling £1 million. Negotiations will also be held shortly for the loan of the remaining £½ million for a similar purpose. The period of these loans will be 20 years with waiver of interest and principal for the first five years.