HC Deb 23 May 1994 vol 244 c16
40. Mr. Gunnell

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what funding from his Department was spent on development in Belize in 1993–94; and what is planned for the current year.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr. Mark Lennox-Boyd)

Expenditure for 1993–94 was in excess of £5 million and we expect to maintain that level in 1994–95.

Mr. Gunnell

Given the £9 million reduction in defence spending does the Minister feel that there is a case for increasing development aid to Belize? An increase would allow, as it were, for some of the difficulties that are continuing because of illicit drug trafficking. Would not increasing development in the area strengthen the economy and strengthen the fight against drug trafficking?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

Aid has been increasing modestly over the past few years. From the year before last to last year it was increased. We hope to meet the problems that Belize has by retaining in part, in the defence area, a resident training programme of about 100 men and a substantial aid programme. The aid represents a large sum per head—it is £30 per capita. We are already helping with the Southern highway, and we shall possibly consider giving more aid.

Mr. Matthew Banks

Does my hon. Friend agree that, in the context of Belize and other lesser developed nations, it is quality that counts, not quantity, and that the British overseas aid programme is one of the finest in the world?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

My hon. Friend is right. Our aid programme is one of the finest in the world. It is targeted to the poorest nations and it has proved extremely effective. It has often been commented on by international agencies when comparing one country's aid programme with another.

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