HC Deb 27 October 1980 vol 991 c27
41. Mr. Deakins

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether further cuts in the aid budget will need to be made in the current year.

Mr. Neil Marten

No, Sir. But all public expenditure plans are constantly under review.

Mr. Deakins

Is the Minister saying that his Department's forecast expenditure for the coming year is not as safe as it should be? If so, is that not an appalling commentary on the Government's attitude to overseas aid expenditure generally?

Mr. Marten

The answer to the first part is "No". There is therefore no answer to the second part.

Mr. Cyril D. Townsend

Will my hon. Friend confirm that the last time round overseas aid suffered more than its fair share of cuts, and that we are not just talking about charity but about looking after our future trading partners?

Mr. Marten

There certainly were cuts the last time round. I hope that there will be a satisfactory solution to the Government's current examination of the future programme.

Mr. Greville Janner

During the recess did the Minister visit India or any other country suffering grave hardship, hunger and poverty, to refresh his memory of what the programme is all about? If so, does he agree that both compassion and enlightened self-interest require an increase, not a decrease, in the programme?

Mr. Marten

I hope that the programme will be increased when we have our economy right. I have visited Zimbabwe and Zambia during the recess, and I visited India earlier in the year.