§ Mr. Cartwrightasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what requests for non-military assistance have been received from the Government of Portugal since April 1974; what aid has been provided; and what further assistance is now under consideration.
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§ Mr. Judd:Britain has been associated with a variety of measures to assist Portugal through multilateral organisations. Bilaterally, in 1975 at Portuguese request £250,000 was contributed for the relief of refugees from Angola. Also in 1975 a technical co-operation programme was established. The figures are 1975–76, £25,000; 1976–77, £100,000; 1977–78, £150,000; 1978–79, £200,000 and 1979–80, £300,000. Britain contributed US$20 million to US$750 million multilateral balance of payments facility in 1978. A £5 million bilateral capital aid loan agreement was concluded on 7th November this year. The British share of interest subsidies for European Investment Bank (EIB) loans of 150 mua to Portugal was £900,000 in 1976–77 and £1,280,000 in 1978. A financial protocol to provide Portugal with a further 200 mua of EIB loans with interest rate subsidies will enter into force in the New Year. The Community is also looking at the possibility of granting pre-accession aid.