§ 69. Mr. Ian BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the United Kingdom's priorities for the geographical distribution of aid.
§ Mr. Chris PattenIn deciding how bilateral aid resources are allocated particular account is taken of need, how effectively our aid can be used, what other donors are doing and of the United Kingdom's historical links with many developing countries, particularly Commonwealth members.
§ Mr. BruceMy hon. Friend will know that many of my constituents, especially in the Churches, are keen that we should give aid to Sudan because of the terrible problems there. What is happening about United Kingdom aid to Sudan, and what are we, as a country, doing to audit how well the money is spent when it gets to places such as Sudan and the rest of the world?
§ Mr. PattenI know that a number of our Churches and other bodies are interested in our aid and development programme in Sudan. That is of particular concern to the diocese of Salisbury, which has its own contacts with Sudan. We shall be represented at the meeting next month with other donors to consider the World Bank's programme for rehabilitation after the floods. We, like other donors, will want to ensure that our money is well and effectively spent. It would, of course, be easier to promote the development of Sudan if a bloody civil conflict were not going on there.
§ Mr. BoatengHas the Minister recognised the special needs of the Southern African Development Co-ordination Conference nations, and what steps are proposed to increase aid to those countries?
§ Mr. PattenRecently we increased our commitment to the SADCC countries to £54 million. I shall be attending the SADCC meeting, God willing—
§ Mr. Tony BanksWhat has the Prime Minister got to do with it?
§ Mr. Patten—and hope to underline our commitment to SADCC and to the Limpopo line. I am delighted that the hon. Member for Newham North-West (Mr. Banks) has his priorities right.
§ Sir John StanleyAs many of the priority countries for British aid are those in sub-Saharan Africa, does my hon. Friend agree that it would be regrettable if the Government exercised only the option, under the Paris Club rescheduling, of making relatively modest reductions in interest rates on debts, rather than exercising the option of writing off some debt, as has been done by other countries? Would it not be regrettable if the excellent debt rescheduling initiative of my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer, which was generous in concept, was less than generous in its implementation by the United Kingdom?
§ Mr. PattenI sympathise with my right hon. Friend's argument. We have already written off about £1 billion worth of overseas aid loans and turned them into grants. The figure for sub-Saharan Africa is about £260 million. The Chancellor's initiative concentrated on three elements 744 —longer rescheduling, cutting interest rates and writing off aid loans—and we have been occupied across the board.