§ Mr. Wallasked the Minister of Overseas Development what economic aid will be given to Bechuanaland on and immediately after independence.
§ Mr. GreenwoodDuring the recent financial talks in London, the British and Bechuanaland Governments have had a detailed discussion of Bechuanaland's economic problems and future external aid requirements. The British Government have assured the Bechuanaland Government of their wish to continue to provide budgetary and development aid and technical assistance after independence, subject to the limitations imposed by Britain's own economic position. They have undertaken to inform the Bechuanaland Government next month of the scale and nature of the financial contribution that Britain can make towards Bechuanaland's needs after March, 1967. In the meantime, in order to assist Bechuanaland to meet its immediate needs, the British Government have agreed to make available, between the date of independence and the 31st March, 1967 the unspent balance of Bechuanaland's current grant allocation of Colonial Development and Welfare Funds, together with the unissued balance of the budgetary grant already agreed for the financial year 1966–67. The necessary Supplementary Estimates will be laid before Parliament in due course. In the meantime, advances will be sought from the Civil Contingencies Fund if necessary.
British technical assistance will continue to be available to Bechuanaland after independence; and the British Government are also making loans to cover Bechuanaland's share of the payments 141W to officers of H.M.O.C.S. under the General Compensation Scheme agreed during the constitutional talks held in London in February, 1966.