HC Deb 03 March 1980 vol 980 cc23-4
50. Mr. Brocklebank-Fowler

asked the Lord Privy Seal what is his latest estimate of the total value of orders to British business financed out of the British aid programme in the 12 months to the latest convenient date.

Mr. Neil Marten

My best estimate is that in 1978, the latest year for which figures are available, the total value of orders to British business arising from the aid programme was in the region of £415 million out of a total gross expenditure of official development assistance of £685 million. This figure combines estimates of the procurement return from both bilateral and multilateral aid.

Mr. Brocklebank-Fowler

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for that reply. In the light of his announcement last week that the higher proportion of the aid budget is to be made available for supporting trade overseas in the future, will he say what amount he is setting aside to support trade next year? Will he discuss with his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade the possibility of seeking a better return from those disbursements that are made through the European development fund?

Mr. Marten

On the second part, most certainly. I said that when answering questions on the aid statement. On the first part of the question, in accordance with our review of aid policies we shall seek to increase British procurement from multilateral aid institutions. In respect of bilateral aid, we shall have regard to whether projects relate to the needs of British industry and to opportunities for subsequent exports.

Mr. J. Enoch Powell

What is the point of paying ourselves for our own exports?

Mr. Marten

Because, in the world today, there is need to help developing countries.

Dame Judith Hart

Is the Minister aware that he has said very little that is new? In the light of the Brandt Commission report and all that is known about the relationship between aid and the benefit of trade to British industry, can the hon. Gentleman produce figures that will indicate the effect of the present recession in world trade on our orders? The World Bank estimated a 4 per cent. reduction over the last few years, but that figure is a little out of date. Will the hon. Gentleman promise to tell the House what the reduction actually is? This is the key relationship between the development aid programme and trading benefit to British companies.

Mr. Marten

I shall try to give that information, but not now. I shall write to the right hon. Lady. I am sorry that there is nothing new. That is because questions have not been put down which would reveal anything new.