§ Mr. Geoffrey Robinsonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what percentage of gross national product is committed by the Government to overseas aid.
§ Mr. RaisonIn 1983, 0.35 per cent. of gross national product was provided for official development assistance. This figure is very close to the average (0.36) for all countries comprising the development assistance committee (DAC) of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
§ Mr. Geoffrey Robinsonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the trend in real terms of expenditure on overseas aid in each of the next three years.
§ Mr. RaisonI shall shortly be making a statement on plans for the aid programme in 1985–86. For levels of aid in the two subsequent financial years the hon. Member must await the publication of the White Paper on public expenditure in February 1985.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he is satisfied with the present level of assistance given by Her Majesty's Government in overseas aid; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RaisonThe Government have a substantial overseas aid programme, and will continue to maintain one in the future.