§ Mr. Spearingasked the Minister of Overseas Development what estimated expenditure will arise over the next four years from forward commitments made in the aid programme during the last financial year; and what is the total estimated allocation of funds to the aid programme over the same four year period.
§ Mrs. HartI estimate that firm bilateral commitments outstanding at the end of the last financial year were approximately £800 million. I expect that most, but not necessarily all, of this sum will be spent over the period of the next four years. It is not possible to give a firm figure for our multilateral obligations as these are assessed each year as a proportion of the estimated requirements of the international organisations concerned, on the basis of a general commitment. The total estimated allocation of aid funds in the same four-year period is just over £4,300 million. The proportion of bilateral aid in recent years has ranged between 60 and 70 per cent. of the total aid programme and I expect this proportion to continue.