§ Mr. Altonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if, in the light of the recent inclusion of Angola and Mozambique in the Lomé convention and the deteriorating economies of countries in the Third world, he will propose significant, real increases in aid to the African, Caribbean and Pacific states;
(2) what is the United Kingdom's position in the recent negotiations with the EEC over the EEC aid package to the African, Caribbean, and Pacific states.
§ Mr. RaisonWe regard the Community's financial offer of 7 billion ecu as fair and generous. It has been agreed that the sum should cover the expected accession of Angola and Mozambique, and the offer more than maintains the real value of the funds provided under the second Lomé convention. We are disappointed that the Community has not felt able to offer more in the associated trade package where we have advocated greater liberalisation of access for African, Caribbean and Pacific exports. This would be more important than aid for the development of these countries.