§ Mr. WellsTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement on the progress of the policy he is pursuing with SADCC countries.
§ Mrs. ChalkerBritain has long been involved in working to strengthen the economies of SADCC states, to reduce their economic dependence on South Africa and, through the SADCC organisation, to restore the natural pattern of transport in the region by rehabilitation of regional routes through Mozambique. From 1980 to 1986 Britain gave £819 million in bilateral aid to SADCC states.
My hon. Friend the Minister for Overseas Development visited Tanzania from 26 to 30 January to attend SADCC's annual meeting in Arusha (28–29 January) and for bilateral discussions. During his visits my hon. Friend announced a further £10 million of British aid for the SADCC organisation's projects, taking our total pledges to SADCC to £45 million. He also announced £20 million additional programme aid for Tanzania. Our aid is highly valued by SADCC states. Steady progress is now being made in the rehabilitation of the regional transport routes.