§ Mr. Altonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs why Her Majesty's Government are cutting the British contribution to the next replenishment of the International Development Association.
§ Mr. RaisonIn the past, and particularly under the previous replenishment — IDA 6 — the United Kingdom contributed to IDA at a level well in excess of its relative economic strength among donors. The Government have repeatedly made clear their intention to reduce their share of the next replenishment to a level more nearly in line with the United Kingdom's economic weight. Our reduced percentage share of IDA 7 remains consistent with the principle of fair burden-sharing among donors, on which negotiations concerning the replenishment of IDA's financial resources are based.