§ Mr. Roperasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, in view of the reference to the importance of policies dealing with population growth in the communiques of the Cancun and Versailles summit meetings, he will consider including the share of British official aid allocated to population programmes.
§ Mr. Neil MartenThe reference in the Cancun and Versailles communiques reflects the importance which the Government already attach to population activities within the aid programme. There are no sectoral aid allocations within the aid programme nor any targets for aid to population activities and I cannot therefore give such a commitment. However, in recognition of the Government's interest in population activities I was able last September to announce increases in our contributions to multilateral organisations dealing with population from £4.5 million to £5 million in 1981–82 and to £6 million in 1982–83. I shall continue to do all that I can to give full emphasis to population questions within the aid programme.