HC Deb 09 July 1984 vol 63 cc693-4
43. Mr. Maples

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the future level of financial support for the joint funding scheme.

45. Mr. Chapman

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to support and encourage voluntary agencies in the field of overseas development.

Mr. Raison

Subject to parliamentary approval, I propose to set aside £4.8 million in 1985–86 for the joint funding scheme, which enables us to finance half the costs of certain development projects undertaken by British voluntary agencies. This will represent an increase of one third on this year's revised allocation of £3.59 million and a doubling of the allocation in 1983–84.

Mr. Maples

That is a welcome statement, although the sum involved is only a relatively small proportion of the total aid budget. Does my right hon. Friend agree that aid given through voluntary bodies is not only cheaper but quicker? Does he think that there is scope for utilising more of the aid budget in that way?

Mr. Raison

I agree that aid given through the voluntary sector has many advantages, not least that it can reach the poorest people directly. I shall certainly be thinking positively about our future allocations to the voluntary sector.

Mr. Chapman

I also welcome my right hon. Friend's statement. Does he agree that the track record of voluntary agencies shows that generally they are able to get aid to the poorest and most needy people, particularly in emergencies? For that reason, if for no other, will my right hon. Friend accept the welcome of his hon. Friends for what he said?

Mr. Raison

I accept the welcome of both my hon. Friends. I agree with what my hon. Friend the Member for Chipping Barnet (Mr. Chapman) has just said about the voluntary agencies. However, the joint funding scheme is not about emergency aid; it is about the longer-term development programmes. But it is important.

Mr. Stuart Holland

While paying tribute to the work of voluntary agencies in the Third world, not least in the Sahel area and in Central America, may I make it clear that a recent reply by the Minister shows that net overseas development assistance has fallen to 0.35 per cent. of GDP, which is only one half the United Nations' target and is exceeded by virtually every other country in western Europe? Will the right hon. Gentleman commit himself to a major increase in aid to voluntary agencies and in the overall overseas development aid programme? If not, will he admit that his record so far has been that of a Minister for underdevelopment rather than that of a Minister serving the interests of developing countries?

Mr. Raison

The hon. Gentleman's supplementary question was almost wholly irrelevant to the question on the Order Paper. Our record on the voluntary sector has been extremely good, and I intend to maintain it.