§ Mr. Rowlandasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what economic assistance has been asked for by Zambia, and what has been given to that country, as a result of the illegal declaration of independence by Rhodesia.
§ Mr. BottomleyAs a result of discussions conducted by the Minister of State for Commonwealth Relations in Lusaka from 15th to 19th December, 1965, the British Government agreed to meet the cost of a British airlift of essential supplies into Zambia, and to meet expenditure of some £3½ million on equipment and construction work necessary to develop alternative surface routes into Zambia. In addition, by 15th January, eleven experts over and above the normal technical assistance programme have been made available to Zambia, and high priority is being given to recruitment of other staff urgently needed by Zambia for contingency planning. The Zambia Government sought redress from the British Government for any economic and financial harm to Zambia arising out of the actions of the illegal regime in Rhodesia. The British Mission emphasised the British Government's concern about these effects and reiterated their determination to quell the rebellion as quickly as possible in order to arrest the strain which it is imposing on both the British and Zambian economies.