HL Deb 13 July 1992 vol 539 cc5-6WA
The Earl of Onslow

asked Her Majesty's Government:

For how long they foresee the continuation of development aid.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

Development aid is used to help promote sustainable development and to reduce poverty in developing countries. Concessional aid funds are required in particular to help the poorest countries whose economies are not strong enough to mobilise sufficient domestic resources or to attract sufficient private flows from overseas for their development. Some developing countries have made substantial progress over the last quarter of a century and are now no longer, or are much less, reliant upon aid. Others will require aid for a considerable period. But such aid must be complemented by sound domestic policies if progress is to be achieved.