§ Mr. E. L. Mallalieuasked the Minister of Overseas Development what is the cost of the Lower Mekong River Valley development programme, to which Her Majesty's Government make contributions; and what are the obstacles to its more rapid achievement.
§ Mrs. CastleThe Committee for Co-ordination of Investigations of the Lower Mekong Basin draws on funds or provision in kind contributed either bilaterally or through the United Nations or by the four riparian countries. The ultimate scope of the programme will depend on the size of the funds contributed—the total so far pledged or contributed amounts to £24,000,000. The investigatory phase is likely to cost about £4,000,000.
The rate of progress is conditioned partly by the funds available and partly by the political situation in the area.