TNAG-0834-FCO40-1042-Foreign-and-Commonwealth-Office-seminar-on-the-future-of-Bri-1979 — Page 15

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political realities since it destroys the full local responsibility for raising revenue which is a key factor

in political maturity.

Spenders

The biggest budgetary speakers among the d.t's receive no

aid.

The richest territories, Dutch and French, get the most aid.

An unanswered question

What is the "appropriate" level of welfare services?

The ranges of answer to question "Should island A have

r

a dentist? I No and go elsewhere if you don't like it. (Quite unreal in case of St. Hilena and almost so in Turks). II Yes and it is our responsibility to finance one and to continue to do so. No general agreement on either

solution.

The hard line

British public do not willingly support the aid programme. Budgetary aid most objectionable and better if funds spent on projects (unrealistic). Charity may begin at home (i.e. in d.t's) but we should seek to obtain trade and UK benefit from the aid relationships and reserve the option to ease it if we so choose. No evidence of strength of this view but it will grow fast unless aid

Some half conclusions

Aid should be directed to achieve reasonable (undefined) level of economic self sufficiency, even though we no longer demand economic self sufficiency before granting independence.

We must get others to share our burden. (How?) US and Venezuela

could do more.

Aid management is an appropriate tool in preparing d.t's for independence but its success will require unwelcome decisions denying help for many petschemes.

Aid should be directed to help create a competent political and economic structure with good quality management. comparatively small sums involved should not be cut.

The

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