§ Mr. Whitakerasked the Minister of Overseas Development what arrangements have been made for the provision of development aid to British dependent territories after March, 1970.
§ Mr. PrenticeThe Colonial Development and Welfare Acts terminate on 31st March, 1970. Thereafter development aid to British dependent territories, including the Associated States, will be provided under the authority of the Overseas Aid Act, 1966.
455WAlthough the Colonial Development and Welfare Acts are being allowed to expire, this signifies no change in aid policy and Her Majesty's Government still regard the reasonable needs of the remaining dependencies as a first charge on the aid funds which they are able to make available.
To enable territories to plan their development programmes provisional levels of development aid for the three years commencing 1970–71 will be announced as soon as possible. Development aid, whether grant or loan, will continue to he provided for approved individual projects, but it is intended that administrative and accounting procedures will be simplified.