§ 26. Dame Joan Vickersasked the Minister of Overseas Development how many petitions representing how many signatures she has received on behalf of the Sign On, Churches Action for World Development, concerning overseas development; and what action she is taking to reply to these petitions.
§ Mr. WhitakerWell over 50,000 signatures have been received. My right hon. Friend has written personally to those hon. Members who have presented petitions already, and I hope to reply to others who write to me.
§ Dame Joan VickersDoes the hon. Gentleman agree that it is not enough just to sign on, but that action should be taken by these people? Has consideration been given to the proposition that I put forward in the debate on the Pearson Report, that there should be a special trust fund set up into which they can pay in the near future?
§ Mr. WhitakerI know that this proposition has been discussed by some of the independent organisations. I am sure that both sides of the House welcome the concern and compassion shown by those who are involving themselves in this campaign.
§ Mr. SnowIs my hon. Friend satisfied that a much wider public is being adequately educated about the need for overseas aid being given in this way? Is he aware that the work of these various organisations would be helped considerably if a wider public was not led to believe by some newspapers, rather reprehensibly, that giving overseas aid is charity that we cannot afford?
§ Mr. WhitakerMy Department does everything possible to present the real facts before anybody who is interested.