§ 20. Mr. Woodasked the Minister of Overseas Development what percentage of national income, according to that criteria agreed at the 1964 United Nations Commission for Trade and Development conference, was devoted to aid to the developing countries in the calendar years 1964, 1965 and 1966.
§ Mr. BottomleyIn respect of 1964 and 1965 I refer the right hon. Member to my reply of the 21st February. The figure for 1966 is not yet available. [Vol. 741: c. 262–3.]
§ Mr. WoodI thank the right hon. Gentleman for coming to answer these Questions so soon after his return to Britain. We shall look forward to his statement at the end of Questions of which we have been given a brief preview.
Does he not agree that since the advent of the Socialist Government the percentage mentioned in this Question has consistently declined? Are we not right to entertain considerable doubts about whether the Prime Minister's very recent 698 undertaking about 1 per cent. being maintained will be carried out?
§ Mr. BottomleyYes, Sir, the 1 per cent. will be carried out. We have increased gross official aid from £191 million in 1964–65 to a target of £225 million in the current year. That is above that given by the previous Administration.