The Overseas Aid Act 1968, section 2(1), provides that if the Government of the United Kingdom becomes bound by arrangements for the making of initial contributions to the capital stock of a regional development bank, the Minister of Overseas Development may, with the approval of the Treasury, provide by order for the payment out of moneys provided by Parliament of any sums required by him for any of the purposes specified in that subsection. This power is now exercisable by the Secretary of State.

This Order provides for the payment to the African Development Fund (a regional bank within the meaning of that section) of a sum equivalent to 5,211,420 units of account as an initial subscription carrying voting rights, each unit of account being equal to the value of 0.81851265 gramme of fine gold, (a total sum of approximately £2,000,000). The Order also provides for the payment of any sums which may be required to maintain the foreign exchange value of such initial subscription. The Order further provides that certain sums which may be received by the Government of the United Kingdom from the Fund shall be paid into the Consolidated Fund.