§ 58. Mr. Jannerasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has any plans to increase the allocation of funds to India for the coming 12 months.
§ Mr. RaisonI have no plans to do so, but India will remain by far the largest recipient of British bilateral aid.
§ Mr. JannerI very much regret that there is not to be an increase in aid in view of the staggering scale of poverty and deprivation that exists in India. Will the Minister at least promise to match, by governmental funds, sums that are raised by non-governmental efforts in this country to try to aid specific projects, rural and otherwise, in India?
§ Mr. RaisonOur aid programme to India is very big indeed. We are the biggest bilateral donor, and in the next year we expect to spend £108 million. We are willing to take part in the joint funding of voluntary schemes, but the extent of our support far exceeds that provided by the voluntary sector, valuable though the latter is.