HC Deb 23 February 1973 vol 851 cc229-31W
Mr. Sutcliffe

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has been approached by any Government for an increase in United Kingdom bilateral assistance for family planning and population control; and with what Governments he has so far initiated discussions on the importance of such activities in line with the recommendations of the Select Committee on Overseas Aid Report 1970–71.

Mr. Wood

Since the beginning of 1971, aid of this kind has been given to 12 countries. Requests have been received from another five. The response of these countries to our declared readiness to help in population activities, and the discussions of practical action which followed, show the value of the recommendations of the Select Committee. The countries concerned are as follows:

Countries which have received bilateral aid for activities since February 1971

  • Afghanistan
  • British Virgin Islands
  • Fiji
  • Ghana
  • Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony
  • Hong Kong
  • India
  • Indonesia
  • Mauritius
  • New Hebrides
  • St. Vincent
  • Singapore

Countries from which requests for bilateral aid for population activities have been received and are under examination

  • Cameroon
  • Ecuador
  • The Gambia
  • India
  • Mauritius
  • Nicaragua
  • Philippines

Mr. Sutcliffe

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many countries receive United Kingdom bilateral aid that do not officially accept birth control; and what proportion of total United Kingdom bilateral assistance went to these countries in 1972.

Mr. Wood

According to the International Planned Parenthood Federation, there are 14 countries to which we give bilateral aid, and which do not support family planning. About 6 per cent. of our total bilateral aid went to these countries in 1971–72.

Mr. Sutcliffe

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the proportion and amount of total United Kingdom multilateral aid given through multilateral agencies toward family planning and population control in each of the last three years.

Mr. Wood

Britain's multilateral aid and the proportion given for population activities over the last three financial years is as follows:

Total Multilateral Aid
Financial year 1969–70 Financial year 1970–71 Financial year 1971–72
£m. £m. £m.
22.3 18.8 37.7*
Multilateral Aid for Population Activities
£,000 £,000 £,000
100§ 460.4† 890.4‡
Proportion for Multilateral Aid of Population Activities
Per cent. Per cent Per cent.
0.44 2.4 2.1
*Includes a contribution to the Bangladesh Disaster Fund.
† International Planned Parenthood Federation.
£.000
‡ International Planned Parenthood Federation 200
United Nations Fund for Population Activities 250
Organisation for European Co-operation and Development 10.4
((International Planned Parenthood Federation 425
United Nations Fund for Population Activities 450
Organisation for European Co-operation and Development 10.4
International Union for the Scientific Study of Population 5

NOTE:

The total multilateral contributions from this country for population activities for the present financial year will be£1.36 million.