HC Deb 09 April 1984 vol 58 c17
42. Mr. William Powell

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what help is being provided to the voluntary sector for overseas activities.

Mr. Raison

In the current financial year I have allocated, subject to parliamentary approval, £6 million for the British volunteer programme and £2.59 million for overseas development projects jointly funded with British agencies. During the past four years we have doubled our total help to the voluntary agencies, whose work overseas I greatly value.

Mr. Powell

I congratulate my right hon. Friend on the excellent improvement in our contribution. What plans does he have for the future funding of voluntary agencies?

Mr. Raison

The figures that I have given relate to the current financial year, which has only just begun. We review those funds every year, and I shall consider carefully our contribution to the joint funding scheme.

Mr. Meadowcroft

Will the Minister be sympathetic to providing more resources to the voluntary bodies that enable young people to serve overseas, given that many idealistic youngsters, who have skills and talents that will be valuable to the Third world, cannot find jobs in Britian?

Mr. Raison

I am very much in favour of the British volunteer programme. Since we came to power in 1979 we have increased our funding of the voluntary programme by between three and four times, so we have a good record in this area.

Mr. Bowen Wells

Does my right hon. Friend agree that one of the most effective of the many voluntary agencies is Action Aid, which today gave a glass of cold, clean water to the Prime Minister as a symbol of its programme to help people to help themselves? Does he agree that that programme is the best way to help the poorest of the poor?

Mr. Raison

I am sympathetic to Action Aid and its work, and would always be prepared to consider proposals put to me on its behalf.

Mr. Deakins

Is not this form of aid the most effective way of getting most aid to the poorest people in the poorest countries? Is it not all the more valuable at a time when the Government are moving from that good objective towards commercial and strategic considerations, which do not enter into the calculations of voluntary agencies?

Mr. Raison

We still pay great regard to the needs of the poorest countries. The voluntary agencies are effective in that respect, and that is one reason why I consider them sympathetically.