HC Deb 13 February 1978 vol 944 cc28-9
45. Mr. Forman

asked the Minister of Overseas Development if she is satisfied with the balance of the United Kingdom aid programme as between bilateral aid, multilateral aid, technical co-operation and capital investment; and if she will make a statement about the forthcoming period to 1981–82.

Mr. Tomlinson

Broadly, yes. But we have yet to consider what the balance should be over the next four years within the new planning totals recently announced by the Government.

Mr. Forman

Will the Minister give a higher priority than hitherto to the valuable aspect of technical co-operation? Will he recognise the role that can be played by private capital investment in suitable projects overseas? Will he do more about joint funding with non-governmental organisations as this is an effective way of getting money to those who are in greatest need?

Mr. Tomlinson

Joint funding figures prominently in the work of the Department. We are constantly considering how best to achieve a combination of our resources and private capital. Technical co-operation also figures prominently in our work. Of the 73 per cent. of the total of our aid programme that went in bilateral aid, 25 per cent. went in technical co-operation.

Mr. Fell

Will the Minister consider the urgent if not immediate need for aid to the Somalis, who, so far as I know, are being more or less ignored? Can we help them in any way?

Mr. Tomlinson

The matter is under review.

Mr. Ioan Evans

Now that we are getting out of our financial difficulties, will my hon. Friend seek to persuade the Chancellor of the Exchequer to make an increased contribution to overseas aid in the years ahead?

Mr. Tomlinson

I am sure that my hon. Friend the Member for Aberdare (Mr. Evans) will be the first to welcome the fact that the importance of overseas aid was recognised in the recent public expenditure White Paper. I am certain that my right hon. Friend will ensure that her voice is heard.

Mr. Grylls

Is it right that we should use money which could be more properly used in Commonwealth countries to give aid to detestable regimes such as that in Vietnam?

Mr. Tomlinson

That is a totally different question.

Mr. Hordern

Will the Minister look at the loans element in the aid programme? If he does, he will see that we are lending money to Iran interest-free when it must be well known that Iran is in a much better position to lend money to us than we are to them.

Mr. Tomlinson

I shall certainly consider that. If the hon. Member has any particular point to make, I hope that he will write to me.

Mr. Dykes

In the context of the Lomé Convention and the European aid programme, can the Minister tell the House how large he would like to see the aid programme in 1982 in comparison with this year?

Mr. Tomlinson

That is a totally different question that must be subject to further consideration.

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