§ 44. Mr. Ginsburgasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals he has for promoting information technology in the overseas aid programme.
§ Mr. RifkindInformation technology covers a wide field, and the Overseas Development Administration is already meeting requests for assistance from developing countries in a number of relevant areas. For example we provide computer hardware and software as well as financing—in world communications year—18 broadcasting or telecommunications projects in 14 different countries. We are also currently providing about 30 experts in statistics or data processing to developing countries and a similar number of awards for trainees from developing countries to attend courses in these subjects in 299W Britain. In research we are also, for instance, sponsoring a project to develop appropriate computer software for use in developing countries.
My right hon. Friend the Minister for Overseas Development is considering how we might further help, through our aid, to promote appropriate applications of advances in information technology.