§ 86. Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the use of British bilateral aid to bring political trade or military advantages to the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. Chris PattenThe basic aim of the aid programme is the promotion of sustainable economic and social progress and the alleviation of poverty. That aim is entirely compatible with serving our political and commercial interests. It is not Her Majesty's Government's policy to use the aid programme for military purposes.