HC Deb 24 February 1986 vol 92 c676
50. Mr. Tom Clarke

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will state the level of overseas aid to the Philippines in each of the last three years.

Mr. Raison

We have a small technical co-operation programme which in the years 1982, 1983 and 1984 amounted to £0.177 million, £0.190 million and £0.225 million respectively. Investments in this period by the Commonwealth Development Corporation and disbursements from the aid and trade provision totalled £6.7 million and £1.4 million respectively.

Mr. Clarke

Does not the contribution which the Minister has just outlined, as well as the House's commitment to human rights, demand that the Minister should take this opportunity to condemn the blatant rejection of democracy in the Philippines? Will he join every other civilised country in saying that the people of the Philippines have voted for a change and it is time that their democratic wishes were respected?

Mr. Raison

It is not for me to comment on the general political position in the Philippines. However, I can confirm that we are watching it carefully from the point of view of aid and thinking carefully about what we should be doing in that area.