HC Deb 12 January 1987 vol 108 cc1-2W
Mr. Wareing

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what percentage of gross domestic product was represented by the overseas aid budget in each of the years 1978 to 1986, inclusive; and what he expects it to be in the next three years.

Mr. Chris Patten

Net public expenditure on overseas aid as defined in British Aid Statistics, copies of which are in the Library of the House, as a percentage of GDP in 1978–85 was as follows:

Percentage
1978 0.42
1979 0.44
1980 0.37
1981 0.42
1982 0.36
1983 0.36
1984 0.37
1985 0.34

Figures are not yet available for 1986. It is not Government policy to forecast what the percentage is likely to be in future years.