§ Mr. Brocklebank-Fowlerasked the Minister of Overseas Development what tonnage of fertiliser purchased in Holland under the British aid programme was transported to the West Indies in foreign shipping during the 12 months to the latest convenient date.
§ Mr. PrenticeIn the financial year ended 31st March 1976 no fertiliser was purchased in Holland under the British aid programme for transport to the West Indies.
Under the Windward Islands Banana Fertiliser Subsidy Projects, which operated between July 1974 and September 1975, however, 3,822.8 long tons—out of a total of 15,482.8 long tons supplied under the projects—were purchased in Holland before the year in question by the Banana Growers' Associations of Dominica, St. Lucia and St. Vincent and distributed to growers at a price subsidised from British aid funds. This fertiliser was transported to the West Indies in foreign shipping.
§ Mr. Brocklebank-Fowlerasked the Minister of Overseas Development if he will ensure that all commodities supplied under the British aid programme to the West Indies will in future be carried by British ships operating a regular service between the United Kingdom and the Caribbean in order that British shipowners and Caribbean economies will gain the full benefit of the savings in operating costs.
§ Mr. PrenticeTo do as the hon. Gentleman suggests would contravene the policy that, in line with the OECD code of liberalisation of invisible operations, goods supplied cif under the British aid programme are shipped in accordance with normal commercial and competitive practice and are not directed to ships of any particular flag; I therefore propose to maintain current practice.