HC Deb 02 February 1967 vol 740 cc757-8
28. Sir G. Sinclair

asked the Minister of Overseas Development in view of the useful rôle of the International Development Association in improving the effectiveness of aid and his aim to make British aid, with its reduced target for 1967, more effective, he will increase Great Britain's subscription to the Association.

Mr. Bottomley

Our 1967 contribution was settled in 1964 at £11.5 million. Future contributions will have to be settled in fresh negotiations with the World Bank and the donors.

Sir G. Sinclair

Would not the Minister consider this a sad retreat from the brave statements made when the Ministry was established? What is he doing to fulfil the pledge to increase the proportion of multilateral aid in the total aid programme of Her Majesty's Government.

Mr. Bottomley

I do not accept what the hon. Gentleman says, and I refresh his memory by reminding him that in a Written Reply on 25th January I stated: Her Majesty's Government take the view that the funds of I.D.A. should be substantially replenished, but their future size is still for negotiation between the World Bank and the contributors."—[OFFICIAL REPORT, 25th January, 1967; Vol. 739, c. 313.]

Lord Balniel

Further to the question asked by my right hon. Friend the Member for Bridlington (Mr. Wood), does not the right hon. Gentleman remember the clear undertaking given in the Labour Party's manifesto to increase the share of the gross national product which would be devoted to overseas aid? How can he square his conscience and the replies he has been giving to this and previous Questions with that promise given only a few months ago?

Mr. Bottomley

I repeat what I have said on several occasions; that both sides of the House are agreed that we should go on expanding our aid programme. [Interruption.] Certainly most hon. Members take that view. In this case it has been expanding continually, although at the moment, temporarily, there has been a halt in that expansion but, like most hon. Members, I hope that, in due course, the expansion will continue.