§ 18. Mr. FlightTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what proportion of total government aid is represented by UK Government aid to India in the current financial year; and what changes to this allocation have been planned. [46883]
§ Clare ShortProvisional figures in respect of 1997/98 indicate that our country programme to India was 7 per cent. of total UK bilateral development assistance. Current estimates suggest a similar figure for this year. In addition to bilateral assistance, UK development assistance is channelled through multilateral organisations.
We have made clear that we will review all our programmes following India's nuclear tests but that we will not take action which hurts poor people who are in no way responsible for the tests.
§ 21. Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent discussions she has had with other Governments regarding aid to India and Pakistan; and if she will make a statement. [46886]
§ Clare ShortThe UK has participated in the UN Permanent 5, European Union and G8 discussions on aid to India and Pakistan, all of which have resulted in published communiqués. Our bilateral programmes to both countries are poverty focused and we do not propose to take actions which will hurt the poor. But we are in the process of preparing new Country Strategy Papers for India and Pakistan which will consider carefully the implications, including the economic and financial implications, of the nuclear tests when assessing prospects for partnerships and poverty reduction.