asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will reconsider his decision to abide by the pro-rata provision in the agreement of the sixth replenishment of the International Development Association.

During the visit to London last week of the Prime Minister of India, Mrs. Gandhi made strong representations on behalf of all recipients of IDA funds about the difficulties caused to them by the application of the pro rata commitment provisions. In the light of these representations, Her Majesty's Government have agreed to waive the pro rata provision in respect of their second—current—instalment to IDA 6. IDA will therefore have commitment authority amounting to £370 million in respect of the United Kingdom's £555 million contribution to the replenishment. This will directly benefit the poorest countries.