HC Deb 13 January 1986 vol 89 cc448-9W
Mr. Corbyn

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the present total annual volume of European Economic Community aid to all central American countries; and how has this been allocated for each year since 1979.

Mr. Raison

European Community aid disbursements to Central America were £9.1 million in 1983, the latest year for which complete figures are available.

The annual average level of aid commitments in 1979–84 (inclusive) was £22.8 million (38.6 mecu) allocated as follows:

Financial and technical Food aid Emergency aid Trade promotion Training Voluntary organisations Total
Guatemala 2.468 0.882 0.289 0.188 3827
El Salvador 9.883 0.825 0.130 0.294 11.132
Honduras 22.000 16.150 0.088 0.389 0.004 0.082 38.713
Nicaragua 15.909 27.824 0.707 0.424 2.792 47.656
Costa Rica 10.602 0.271 0.030 0.518 0.300 11.721
Panama 0.259 0.018 0.277
Total 48.511 56.596 2.532 2.009 0.004 3.674 113.326
Regional programmes 23.879
Total 137.205

Source: Commission of the European Communities.

Mr. Corbyn

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans there are for further European Economic Community aid to Central American countries; and what restrictions thereon are planned.

Mr. Raison

The position remains as stated in the reply given to the hon. Member for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley (Mr. Foulkes) on 12 November 1985, at column147. Individual proposals will be brought forward by the Commission in due course. These will be designed to support projects of regional importance on the basis of priorities and objectives identified by common agreement.