HC Deb 24 February 1986 vol 92 c672
43. Mr. Bowen Wells

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what money from the Overseas Development Administration budget has become available, either from slippage or because emergency funds have not been taken up, for rapid disbursement during February and March; and to which investments he has allocated it.

The Minister for Overseas Development (Mr. Timothy Raison)

Inevitably, some adjustments within the programme are necessary towards the end of the financial year. I have recently announced new allocations of emergency aid for the Sudan and refugee relief in African countries, involving some £5 million of expected spending in the current financial year.

Mr. Wells

Will my right hon. Friend confirm that only £5 million has been underspent in the expected expenditure at the beginning of the year? If that is so I am rather surprised, because it would be one of the lowest figures ever in the ODA budget. Does this need to disperse money quickly not militate against long-term development projects, particularly in agriculture, which we should be undertaking, or is it a result of African and other countries becoming so impoverished over the last 10 years that they are unable to implement the projects for which my right hon. Friend has allocated money? Is there not a case for a longer carry-over period, so that the projects can be carried out and properly funded in the following years?

Mr. Raison

Obviously there would be some convenience to me and to my Department if we had a long carry-over period. One must recognise that public expenditure requires a tight discipline and the system used for a long time is, broadly, effective.

Mr. Anderson

Does the Minister recognise the danger of aid fatigue on the part of donors, in view of the immense effort put in over the past year, particularly by voluntary agencies? What attempt will he make by way of example, through Government expenditure and generally, to spearhead a public relations exercise to show the continuing need in Africa?

Mr. Raison

People talk about the possibility of aid fatigue as it is called, and such fatigue may exist in the voluntary sector. However, the signs are that the British public still have a great determination to play a part in solving the problems of Africa, and the Government are equally committed to solving those problems.

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