§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Minister of Overseas Development what assistance has been pledged to Indonesia since the £10 million grant announced last year.
§ Mrs. Wiseasked the Minister of Overseas Development how much aid is currently being given to Indonesia; and if he will reconsider his aid programme in the light of recent evidence from Amnesty International of repression and torture of political prisoners in Indonesia.
§ Mr. PrenticeAt the meeting of the Inter-Governmental Group on Indonesia held in Amsterdam on 9th-10th June the United Kingdom delegation pledged a further grant of £2.5 million of capital aid and £3.2 million for technical cooperation. Although this money is available immediately actual disbursements will depend on the preparation and approval of suitable projects. Disbursements in 1976 from existing capital aid loans are expected to amount to about £4 million and disbursements of technical co-operation grant aid to about £2 million. Details of United Kingdom aid to Indonesia for the calendar years 1966 to 1975 were provided in a reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Harlow (Mr. Newens) on 11th May.—[Vol. 911, c. 153–4.] With regard to the Indonesian Government's treatment of political prisoners, I have already told the House that I consider that a reduction in our aid would increase the hardships suffered by many poor people whom our aid is intended to help without necessarily leading to changes in governmental internal policies.