§ 36. Mr. Peter Bottomleyasked the Lord Privy Seal whether there is to be a reduction in the level of the aid programme for 1982.
§ Mr. Neil MartenOverall resources available for expenditure on overseas development in 1982–83 will be only slightly below the level previously planned for that year, and the gross aid programme for 1982–83 will continue to be over £1 billion. The net aid programme will be £950 million. This is a reduction of just under £20 million below the previously planned figure, plus a further reduction of £6 million to compensate for an over-spend of the same amount in 1980–81. But I am announcing separately Government permission to the CDC for it to borrow abroad up to £15 million in each of the next three years.