§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Minister of Overseas Development what special action is being taken by her Department to avoid underspending of the aid programme in the current financial year.
§ Mrs. HartPresent forecasts suggest that underspending will not be a major problem this year. But the phasing of aid expenditure can alter unexpectedly for reasons outside my direct control, involving multilateral agencies and commitments. I therefore keep the position under steady review, and make changes in spending plans.