HL Deb 25 October 1982 vol 435 cc387-8WA
Lord Brockway

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the newspaper report is true that Britain alone among European countries opposed EEC aid to impoverished Nicaragua; and, if so, on what grounds.

Lord Skelmersdale

Nicaragua already receives food aid and project aid from regular European Community programmes. In the present discussion of a special European Community programme of aid to Central America, Her Majesty's Government are anxious to ensure that the best use is made of limited European Community aid resources. In the light of the low priority Nicaragua gives to resources for social and economic development the Government believe the special programme could be put to better use in other countries of the region.