HC Deb 09 July 1970 vol 803 c823
12. Mr. Judd

asked the Minister of Overseas Development whether he will publish a White Paper setting out the Government's overseas aid and development policy.

Mr. Wood

I have no immediate plans to publish a White Paper, but I am considering whether it would be helpful to do so later on.

Mr. Judd

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for that reply, may I ask whether he would not agree that aid is not just a matter of quantity but that there are a number of important questions concerning qualitative and administrative policies in respect of which the House is anxious to know the full details of Governmental thinking?

Mr. Wood

It is just because I realise some of the complexities in this field that I was unable to give a wholly satisfactory answer to the hon. Gentleman's Question.

Mr. John Hall

If my right hon. Friend is considering publishing a White Paper, will he bear in mind that the previous Adiministration's proposals certainly would not have resulted in achieving a 1 per cent. target by 1975?