§ 42. Mr. Welshasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards the proposal made in the Brandt commission's report "Common Crisis" that the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development aid-givers should reach the target of 0.7 per cent. of gross national product within five years.
§ Mr. RaisonWe remain committed to the target of 0.7 per cent. of gross national product for British official development assistance, but, like the previous Government, we have made it clear that we are not committed to a timetable for its achievement.
§ Mr. WelshIs the Minister aware that other countries, including the Netherlands and those in Scandinavia, contribute a much higher percentage of their GNP? Is it not false for a great country such as Britain to say that it cannot set a reasonable timetable for achieving the development assistance target? With a percentage of 0.44 of GNP, we are one of the lowest in the league table of advanced countries.
§ Mr. RaisonI am aware that some countries give a higher percentage of their GNP, but for 1981 the OECD average was 0.35 per cent. against our contribution of 0·44 per cent. We were above the average level.
§ Mr. Rhodes JamesIs my right hon. Friend aware that this country has made, and perhaps will again make, an even greater contribution through preventive medicine? As one of the recommendations of the Brandt commission relates to work being done by British voluntary agencies, can my right hon. Friend tell us how greater Government assistance could be given to those agencies?
§ Mr. RaisonI am prepared to consider that matter carefully, and I should like to talk to my hon. Friend about it.
§ Mr. Guy BarnettWill the Government be publishing a White Paper giving a detailed point-by-point response to "Common Crisis"?
§ Mr. RaisonI expect that before long there will be a debate in the House, during which the Government will make clear their views on "Common Crisis".