§ Mr. Spearingasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement concerning the contents of a recent publication of the Catholic Institute for International Relations concerning features of a development project in the Philippine Islands supported by United Kingdom aid funds.
§ Mr. Rifkind:The Commonwealth Development Corporation has been considering a long-term development loan, together with the International Finance Corporation, to assist a company formed by the National Development Company of the Philippines and Guthrie Plantations Incorporated in the development of an oil palm plantation and a processing mill on the island of Mindanao. The allegations in the report by the Catholic Institute for International Relations have been brought to the CDC's attention and it is considering them. The corporation has undertaken to consult my right hon. Friend the Minister for Overseas Development before reaching a decision on whether to proceed with a loan.