HC Deb 20 November 1991 vol 199 cc203-4W
Mr. Campbell-Savours

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the real-terms difference between United Kingdom overseas development assistance in calendar year 1989 and calendar year 1990.

Mrs. Chalker

Net official development assistance in 1990 was 12.8 per cent. lower in real terms than in 1989. The 1990 figure was low because a disproportionate amount of planned 1990–91 expenditure fell in the first quarter of 1991. Measured by financial years the aid programme has grown in real terms since 1987–88, and is planned to continue to do so.

Mr. Campbell-Savours

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has any plans to reduce the amount of British aid tied to the purchase of British goods and services; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Chalker

The level of aid tied to British goods and services is regularly considered in the context of the effective operation of our aid programme. Proposals to untie bilateral aid within the Community are scheduled to be discussed by Ministers at the development council meeting on 28 November. We have always made it clear that we are ready to consider further untying if others are genuinely prepared to reciprocate, and there are satisfactory monitoring and policing arrangements.

Mr. Campbell-Savours

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he intends to link the quantity of aid given to recipient countries to his assessment of those countries' adoption of good governance.

Mrs. Challker

Individual aid programmes are regularly assessed to ensure appropriate and effective use of resources. We take into account a number of factors which contribute to good government in the country concerned. In June I announced a target of £50 million in new bilateral commitments for direct assistance on good government in the coming year.

Mr. Beggs

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government plan to increase United Kingdom aid to developing countries to the United Nations target level of 0.7 per cent. of gross national product.

Mrs. Chalker

The Government accept in principle the United Nations target for aid of 0.7 per cent. of gross national product. Future levels of aid will continue to depend, however, on our economic circumstances and on the many other priorities for public expenditure. The Government's public expenditure plans announced in the autumn statement provide for aid to developing countries of £1,831 million in 1992–93, £1,900 million in 1993–94 and £1,980 million in 1994–95. These figures represent an increase, over this year's originally planned figure, of 15 per cent. in cash terms and 3 per cent. in real terms.

Mr. Campbell-Savours

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proportion of British aid is fully and freely available for worldwide procurement.

Mrs. Chalker

In 1989, the latest year for which figures are available, 33 per cent. of British aid commitments were untied.