§ 53. Mr. Jannerasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the total levels of aid planned for the current financial year for (a) countries of the Commonwealth and (b) other countries.
§ The Minister for Overseas Development (Mr. Timothy Raison)From bilateral country programmes, about £440 million and £110 million, respectively.
§ Mr. JannerIn the light of the proposed financial aid to Commonwealth countries during the coming financial year, why are the Government proposing to reduce, however slightly, aid to India, when the need is growing? Why, when considering the implementation of the retrospective terms of adjustment, are other countries to be freed from the responsibility of repaying loans incurred before 1975, when Her Majesty's Government are to insist upon India meeting its loans, thereby making our aid worth about half its paper value?
§ Mr. RaisonWe have a special arrangement over retrospective terms adjustment with India, which includes our extremely valuable poverty focus element. We shall continue to provide India with far and away the largest of our bilateral programmes.
§ Sir Anthony KershawDoes not India get the best deal from us of any country? Are not the needs of all countries equally claimant and difficult to decide against?
§ Mr. RaisonI have a difficult job in allocating aid. My hon. Friend is right. Our programme to India is of great importance, and it is highly regarded by the Indians themselves.
§ Mr. AshbyDoes my right hon. Friend welcome Mr. Geldof's efforts through Sport Aid, and what are the Government doing to help Sport Aid?
§ Mr. RaisonLike everybody, I greatly welcome and admire what is happening through Sport Aid, as I did the efforts of Live Aid and Band Aid. The money provided by the latter two, £26 million, to help with the emergency in Africa was a valuable addition to the £190 million provided by the British Government over the past two years. We are funding the offices from which Sport Aid is organised.