§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Minister of Overseas Development if she will undertake to provide 1.5 million tons of fertilisers from United Kingdom sources to the FAO Fertiliser Supply Scheme to assist developing countries expand agricultural output.
§ Mrs. HartThe United Kingdom is a net importer of fertilisers for domestic purposes, and I understand that it would be far beyond the capability of the British fertiliser industry to produce 1.5 million tons for the FAO scheme. An immediate 5,000 tons is being supplied, and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Industry has arranged with the British fertiliser industry for the supply of a further 20,000 tons in the next year or so. My hon. Friend will be aware of our aid programme assistance for fertiliser factories in developing countries.
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§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Minister of Overseas Development what contribution is envisaged by the United Kingdom for capital investment in fertiliser plans in developing countries.
§ Mrs. HartProposals which have so far led to such investment have been received from India, Jordan and Turkey. We are at present financing the offshore costs of three new fertiliser plants in India at a total cost of some £25 million. The Government have also indicated their willingness to offer assistance for the construction of another large fertiliser plant in India.
In Turkey £6.7 million was committed in 1971 towards the cost of a superphosphate plant with an annual capacity of 400,000 tons. Investment in the production of raw material for fertiliser plants is represented by the case of Jordan where approximately £2 million was committed to phosphate mining projects in 1972 and 1973.