§ Mr. Deakinsasked the Prime Minister whether she expects the agreement at the recent economic summit at Versailles that special encouragement would be given to programmes to address the implications of population growth to lead to any changes in United Kingdom overseas aid policy.
§ The Prime MinisterThe reference to population growth in the declaration of the seven Heads of State and Government and representatives of the European Community in Versailles reflects the importance which the Government already attach to population activities as a part of the overall economic and social development of the developing countries. In recognition of this, last September my right hon. Friend the Minister for Overseas Development announced increases from the aid programme in our contributions to multilateral organisations dealing with population from £4.5 million to £5 million in 1981–1982 and to £6 million in 1982–83.