War on Want (Hansard, 23 January 1989)

§ 43. Mr. Allen
To ask the Secretaryof State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will meet representatives of War on Want to discuss aid policy.

§ The Minister for Overseas Development (Mr. Chris Patten)
I am prepared to meet representatives of War on Want to discuss matters of mutual concern.

§ Mr. Allen
Will the Minister meet representatives of War on Want to discuss the overseas aid provided by the Government? At 0.28 per cent. of GNP, it is shameful and nowhere near the United Nations recommended level of 0.7 per cent. of GNP. Will he take the opportunity to read the fourth report of the Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and set a timetable for the Government to do their duty by the United Nations and the people who require aid, and ensure that they meet the United Nations target?

§ Mr. Patten
I shall be delighted to meet representatives of War on Want, or other non-governmental organisations, at any time. I shall be happy to point out to them that our aid programme is set to increase by 5 per cent. in real terms and 18 per cent. in cash terms over the coming public expenditure period. To those figures I hope that we can now add the substantial additional assistance that will be provided to Nigeria.

§ Mr. Jacques Arnold
Were my hon. Friend to meet representatives of War on Want, would he express the view of many voluntary workers that War on Want should spend less time on party political bashing in this country and more time on providing additional assistance to those in need abroad, where it should be actively involved?

§ Mr. Patten
War on Want's campaign material is not balanced or objective and I suspect that it is not meant to be. Its content is a matter for the trustees and, from time to time, for the Charity Commissioners.

§ Miss Lestor
If the Minister meets representatives from War on Want or any other agency, no doubt they will remind him that the Prime Minister, when referring to the Government's 1981 overseas aid spending, said: When economic circumstances permit, we will move towards the United Nations target of 0.7 per cent. of GNP. War on Want and others, including the Select Committee, remind the Government that, as the Christian Aid report published this month states, official development assistance is now only 64 per cent. of its real value in 1979. Therefore, it depends on from where the Minister selects his figures. Will the Minister say when a timetable will be set to meet the United Nations target?

§ Mr. Patten
Our position on a target is the same as that of our predecessors, the previous Labour Government. I am sure that my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister and my other right hon. Friends will be able to point to the real terms increase of our aid programme as an indication of what we can do with a stronger economy.