§ Mr. Gryllsasked the Minister of Overseas Development how much overseas aid is to be used in the proposed sale to Pakistan of three SD18 cargo vessels; and if she will make a statement on her talks with Pakistan Ministers.
§ Mrs. HartIn my discussions last September with Pakistan's then Minister for Ports and Shipping, we agreed that Britain's regular programme of aid for Pakistan was already committed to high priority projects and programmes, and that none of these planned activities should be displaced to make room for ships.
Mr. Gokal nevertheless emphasised his interest in obtaining finance to order some vessels from Britain as part of the planned re-equipping of Pakistan's national fleet. As these orders would be of industrial importance to Britain, I agreed to release funds, to cover a part of the contract price, from the 5 per cent. of the bilateral programme reserved for such opportunities.
Discussions about this possible contract are still in progress. I shall inform the House of the outcome in due course.