period of 1979-80 in project aid and there is another £3 million
available for projects which are intended to produce more revenue
for the New Hebrides. One of the big problems is going to be
after independence for the New Hebrides to generate its own
revenue to sustain itself because it has not very many resources.
In addition to that there will be 160 overseas aid personnel
provided by the British Government. Future levels of aid after
the end of 1980 will be a matter to be negotiated with the
government of the New Hebrides after it is elected in November.
As far as financial aid is concerned we would expect that to
gradually taper off but will start by a level which is pretty closely
related to what we have been spending until now. As far as the
level of French aid is concerned this is of course a matter for
the French Government and I'don't know that they have made any
commitments but we would hope they would be prepared to share the
aid burden pretty equally with Britain.
Question: How does that $3.5 million compare with continental aids in 1978-79 ?
Mr Blaker: That I am sorry I can't tell off the cuff.
Question: Do you expect in any way the relationship between Hong Kong and the
New Hebrides will in any way be altered by the forthcoming
independence ?
Mr Blaker: I don't know what the relations between Hong Kong and the New
Hebrides are at the moment, I'm sorry to say. But it will of
course be a matter for the government of the New Hebrides which
is going to be elected in November and we don't know what that
government is going to be until after the election.
7
what