§ 43. Mr. Chapmanasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if any assessment has been made of the proportion of overseas aid expenditure which has beneficial effects on the United Kingdom economy, employment and businesses.
§ Mr. RifkindA precise assessment is difficult for both practical and theoretical reasons. Both bilateral aid and the operations of multilateral institutions have to be taken into account. A broad estimate for 1981 suggests an amount equal to about 90 per cent. of our aid spending was spent on British goods and services, including the provision of British people to help with development.