Inter-Governmental Group on Indonesia

HC Deb 16 May 1977 vol 932 cc6-7W

40. Mr. Corbett

asked the Minister of Overseas Development whether she will make a statement about British participation in the meeting of the Inter-Governmental Group on Indonesia (IGGI) on 5th-6th April in Amsterdam.

Mrs. Hart

We made a further commitment of £2.5 million of capital aid, and said that our technical co-operation programme would remain at least at last year's level. As in the recent past, we shall seek to increase the proportion of our aid to be committed to rural and semi-rural development, in the interests of the poorest people. However, we expressed our deep concern about the human rights position in Indonesia, and our hope that the release of political prisoners will be speeded up. I trust that it will.