§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Lord Privy Seal how much was spent on planned parenthood programmes by the Government in 1979; what countries were involved; and how this compares with the amounts spent in each of the previous five years.
§ Mr. Neil MartenAid programme expenditure on population activities in developing countries includes, but is not restricted to, family planning programmes. Figures for 1979 are not yet available. In 1978 expenditure was £2,223,000 in 17 countries—Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Botswana, Cuba, Ecuador, Ghana, India, Jamaica, Kenya, Malawi, St. Lucia, Seychelles, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tanzania and the Yemen Arab Republic. In addition, £4,900,000 was provided to multilateral organisations for their worldwide activities.
Comparable figures for 1977 were £500,000 and £4,600,000; and for 1976, £300.000 and £3,600,000. Prior to that figures were compiled by financial years. For 1975–76 they were £600,000 and £3,100,000 and for 1974–75 £400,000 and £1,700,000.
§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Lord Privy Seal if he will take steps to ensure that adequate funds are given to planned parenthood programmes throughout the world; and what other support the Government offer to such programmes.
§ Mr. Neil MartenWe will continue to support population programmes as fully as the many claims on our resources permit. Apart from finance, the population bureau of the Overseas Development Administration advises on requests for assistance and channels them to qualified United Kingdom sources of help.