HC Deb 04 May 1967 vol 746 cc709-10
5. Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what sum has now been allocated by Her Majesty's Government to the United Nations and its agencies for the development of family planning.

Mr. Oram

We are a main contributor to the United Nations and Specialised Agencies, but it is not customary to earmark contributions for a specific purpose. We have for some time beein concerned to encourage the United Nations to play a more active rôle in the development of family planning, and for that reason welcomed the General Assembly's resolution last December approving a comprehensive and expanded U.N. programme in this field.

Mrs. Short

My hon. Friend has not really answered the Question, has he? Is he aware that according to recent Press reports the princely sum of £50,000 has been allocated by his Department? Is that report right? If it is, does he not think it a disgraceful amount for a developed country like ours to give towards the solution of the world population explosion, which is one of our immediate problems? Will he look at the matter again?

Mr. Oram

With respect, in quoting the figure of £50,000 my hon. Friend is confusing two matters. Her Question related to an allocation to the United Nations and I replied to that in my original Answer. The £50,000 relates to the grant we are making over the next five years to the International Planned Parenthood Federation, a voluntary body whose work we are anxious to encourage as, I am sure, is my hon. Friend.

Mr. Brooks

Does my hon. Friend welcome the recent Papal Encyclical which has given great hope and encouragement to all those who regard family planning as a legitimate and necessary method of combating poverty in the underdeveloped world? In the right of this, will the Government have no inhibitions about accelertaing aid in this respect?

Mr. Oram

In international conferences of one kind and another we have indicated our willingness to give support to family planning measures. If we had inhibitions, I think we are leaving them behind us.

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