§ Mr. Formanasked the Minister for Overseas Development, by how much the official aid budget underspent in the latest full year for which figures are available; and what were the principal causes of the underspending.
§ Mrs. Hart1977–78 figures are not yet complete. In 1976–77 the aid programme was underspent by £20.3 million on a total of £519 million. The main causes were a shortfall in drawings by the International Development Association; some slippages in implementing capital aid projects, due in part to delivery delays; and slower progress than expected in completing pension take-over arrangements.