§ Mr. George Cunninghamasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what changes have been introduced in the rules governing the provision of interest-bearing aid loans at reduced rates of interest since 1969.
§ Mr. Wood: A new pattern of interest rates for aid loans was introduced in July, 1970. Most of these loans continue to be free of interest. Where loans bear interest, it is no longer at the Government lending rate softened by waivers of interest, but at fixed concessionary rates between 2 per cent. and 7½ per cent. The general criteria governing the selection of appropriate terms of aid for individual countries have not changed since 1969.