HC Deb 16 March 1987 vol 112 cc691-2
41. Mr. Kirkwood

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further projects he is considering for developing countries under the aid-trade provisions.

Mr. Chris Patten

Thirty four capital aid projects and 37 technical co-operation proposals are currently under consideration for funding from the aid and trade provision.

Mr. Kirkwood

Does the Minister accept that Britain alone within the OECD is one of the few countries whose proportion of aid as bilateral aid — as opposed to funding through multilateral sources—is increasing? Is that not regrettable?

Mr. Patten

I am not sure exactly what the hon. Gentleman is asking. I believe that the more significant figure is in the OECD's recent findings—80 per cent. of our aid budget goes to the poorest countries, as against an average for the OECD of 60 per cent.