§ Mr. William PowellTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he plans to provide assistance to independent Namibia; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. ChalkerI am delighted to inform the House that following successful implementation of United Nations Security Council resolution 435, Namibia has today achieved independence, and has become the 50th member of the Commonwealth. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is representing Britain at the independence celebrations in Windhoek and will today announce a bilateral aid package of £10 million for commitment over three years.
Our aid will focus on technical co-operation and rehabilitation. Precise details will be agreed with the new Government, but I expect the sectors in which we will provide assistance to include public service reform, education, police training and fisheries management. Following discussions with the Namibian authorities we have already financed initial advisory visits by British experts to see how we might best help, and our assistance with police training and with education is already underway. Namibia will be a high priority for projects jointly funded with British voluntary agencies and Voluntary Service Overseas will also be discussing priorities with the new Government. In addition to our bilateral aid we will be providing substantial assistance through multilateral channels including the European Community and the Commonwealth Fund for Technical Co-operation.
I have authorised the Commonwealth Development Corporation to begin operations there, and it will send an exploratory mission in April.