§ 23. Sir C. Osborneasked the Minister of Overseas Development what is the latest United Nations estimate of the in come per capita for all its members, and its forecast of population increases; by how much he proposes to increase Great Britain's contribution to the United Nations funds for the aid of under developed countries; whether he is satisfied that this is adequate in view of their poverty and increasing population; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BottomleyThe hon. Member will find the statistics which he has requested 720 in the World Bank Atlas of per capita Product and Population 1966, and in the United Nations World Population Prospects as assessed in 1963, copies of which are available in the library. The United Kingdom voluntary contributions for this purpose to the United Nations and its agencies increased from £15.6 million in 1964 to £19.7 million in 1966. These figures do not include the United Kingdom contributions to the budgets of the United Nations and its agencies.
§ Sir C. OsborneSurely there are more recent figures than those for 1963. Will the Minister try to get them for me? As India and Pakistan have a standard of life which is one-twentieth of ours, is not the amount we are giving them pathetically small—like crumbs from a rich man's table?
§ Mr. BottomleyYes; I think that we all share those sentiments. However, if we do not get our own economy right we cannot help ourselves and cannot help others. I obtained the 1963 figures from the United Nations document available. If there is an up-to-date document, perhaps the hon. Member and myself together, as a result of research, can obtain it. If I get it first, I will write to the hon. Member.
§ Mr. WallIs it not the fact that British contributions are second only to those of the United States?
§ Sir C. OsborneStill too small.