§ 2. Mr. Goodhartasked the Minister of Overseas Development whether British subscriptions to United Nations development funds will be reduced as a result of the recent cuts in overseas spending.
§ Mr. GreenwoodThe contributions which the United Kingdom has pledged to the United Nations Development Programme for this year have already been paid. I am not in a position to make any statement about our contribution in future years.
§ Mr. GoodhartDoes the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that, at a time of financial stringency, it probably does less damage to our reputation to see a reduction in our contributions to multilateral funds rather than a cut in projects for which we alone are responsible?
§ Mr. GreenwoodI appreciate what the hon. Gentleman has said. I assure him that I attribute a great deal of importance to the United Nations Development Programme and also other multilateral aid measures. He will appreciate that we are the third largest donor to the United Nations Development Fund.