Bolivia

HC Deb 28 March 1977 vol 929 cc2-3W

Mr. Newens

asked the Minister of Overseas Development if violations of human rights in Bolivia have influenced, or will in the future influence, decisions on the provision of aid to that country by Her Majesty's Government.

Mrs. Hart

The question of human rights is always one of the factors which I take into account when considering the provision of aid to any developing country.

Mr. Newens

asked the Minister of Overseas Development if she will review the decision to provide aid for equipment to be used in Huanuni mine in Bolivia.

Mrs. Hart

At Huanuni, my Ministry is providing £225,000 for a tin concentrates bagging plant, under an agreement signed after lengthy discussions with the Bolivian authorities in November 1976. Orders have already been placed for this equipment, and I do not propose to revise this agreement.

Mr. Newens

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what was the annual value of aid provided to assist the development of the mining sector of the Bolivian economy for each year from 1970 to the present; and what was the total for the whole period.

Mrs. Hart

The cost of British aid to the mining sector in Bolivia from 1970 until 31st December 1976 was as follows. Figures are accurate to the nearest £1,000.

				£1,000
1974	…	…	…	240
1975	…	…	…	161
1976	…	…	…	548
Total	…	…	…	949

Mr. Newens

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what was (a) the annual value of aid provided to Bolivia for each year from 1970 to the present, and (b) the total for the whole period.

Mrs. Hart

The cost of British aid to Bolivia from 1970 until 31st December 1976 was as follows. Figures are accurate to the nearest £1,000.

			£1,000
1970	…	…	112
1971	…	…	130
1972	…	…	832
1973	…	…	901
1974	…	…	1,228
1975	…	…	791
1976	…	…	1,057
Total 1970–76	…	…	5,051

Of this total, £3,285,000 was provided by means of two specific loans financed by the United Kingdom and administered by the Inter-American Development Bank. It is not possible to quantify aid given by other multilateral agencies, to which the United Kingdom is a contributor.