HL Deb 17 February 1981 vol 417 cc676-8WA
Lord Brockway

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What decisions have been reached, following discussions between the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs with the chairman of the Commonwealth Development Corporation (CDC) regarding allocations to the CDC, commercial borrowing by the CDC and further cuts in direct aid to developing countries; and whether special aid to the poorest countries will be maintained.

Lord Carrington

Decisions on the level of future allocations to CDC, and on commercial borrowing, have still to be taken in the light of the report of the CDC Review, which I was glad to have the opportunity to discuss with the chairman of CDC on 10th February. The House will be informed of the Government's conclusions as soon as possible. The question of cuts in direct aid to developing countries did not feature in these discussions. We have made it clear on other occasions that the poorest countries will remain major beneficiaries of our aid.

House adjourned at fourteen minutes before eleven o'clock.