§ 34. Mr. David EvansTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those countries that receive United Kingdom aid which have been assessed as not having free and fair elections. [15271]
§ Mr. HanleyWe have not made a systematic analysis of the 160 recipients of our aid, but our policy is to encourage good government, including moving towards the holding of free and fair elections, in all recipients of our aid.
§ Mr. Tony BanksWe want an election!
§ Madam SpeakerOrder.
§ Mr. EvansDoes my right hon. Friend agree that no country should receive aid unless it has one man, one vote? Does he further agree that that lot over there would spend more taxpayer's money on any corrupt Government they thought fit, as they have great experience of not holding free and fair elections—what with clause IV, 176 of them being supported by unions, blah, blah, blah, and the Labour-controlled councils of Hackney, Islington and Camden? Is this not another example of saying one thing and doing another?
§ Madam SpeakerOrder. The hon. Gentleman does try the patience of the House.
§ Mr. HanleyI am pleased to confirm to my hon. Friend that the last four general elections in the United Kingdom were free and fair; so was the result.
§ Dr. GodmanThe Minister talked of good government. How does he measure Indonesia in relation to the Government's policy on good government? Is it not the case that, for the people of East Timor, that is a harsh and oppressive administration—if it may be called that? How much of that aid goes to the people of East Timor?
§ Mr. HanleyWe are concerned about reports of continuing human rights abuses in Indonesia, especially East Timor, and we certainly let the Indonesian Government know of our concerns. We did so most recently when Foreign Minister Alatas visited us last month. I shall write to the hon. Gentleman about how much Indonesian aid goes to East Timor.