§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Trade how much aid is currently administered under section 3 of the Export Guarantees and Overseas Investments Act 1978 and how much through the Ministry of Overseas Development.
§ Mr. ParkinsonThe Export Credits Guarantee Department has not made any use since 1965 of its statutory powers to guarantee new loans for the purpose of rendering economic assistance for other countries, although approximately £92 million remained outstanding at the end of 1980 on loans made before 1965. Responsibility for overseas aid since 1965 now rests with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office—Minister for Overseas Development.
§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will make a study of the advantages of administering official overseas aid through the Export Credits Guarantee Department under a modified Export Guarantees and Overseas Investment Act 1978.
§ Mr. ParkinsonI have no current plans for such a study. Responsibility for overseas aid since 1965 now rests with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office—Minister for Overseas Development.