§ Mr. Biffenasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the level of official aid to Zambia in 1968, 1969 and 1970; how much of this was spent by the Zambian public sector authorities; and if he will make a statement of the expenditure of this aid in the light of the First Report 365W of the Zambian Auditor-General, a copy of which is in his possession.
§ Mr. WoodDisbursements of British official development assistance to Zambia during the period 1968–70 were:
Year Total Of which spent by Zambian Public Service Authorities £000 £000 1968 … … 6,086 2,999 1969 … … 5,667 3,478 1970 … … 2,569 — 14,322 6,477 Of the amounts spent by the Zambian public service authorities, a total of £285,000 was issued by Her Majesty's Government on a "proof of need". This was subsequently acquitted by audited statements certified by the Zambian Auditor-General, who also certified accounts for the balance. Nothing has appeared in the audited accounts, signed by the Auditor-General or his department for the years in question, to show that our official development assistance funds have been used for purposes other than those for which they were intended. In addition to the above, in 1968 Zambia received contingency aid amounting to £4,708,000 which was expended on projects agreed between Her Majesty's Government and the Government of the Republic of Zambia.