§ 101. Mr. MansTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the proportion of the total income of non-governmental organisations provided through Government grants in the most recent years for which figures are available; and what is this proportion for each of Oxfam, Save the Children Fund, Catholic Fund for Overseas Development and Christian Aid.
§ Mr. Chris PattenMy Department does not hold figures centrally on the total income of the non-governmental organisations involved in overseas aid and development. By no means all of these organisations seek assistance from my Department and many are not solely engaged in work in developing countries but also engage in field work in the United Kingdom.
The proportion of total income provided through grants of all kinds from my Department to the four charities named for the 1986–87 financial year, the latest for which figures are available, are:
Per cent Catholic Fund for Overseas Development 113.0 Christian Aid 8.4 Oxfam 9.4 Save the Children Fund 14.7 1 approximate.
102. Mr. John M. TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will increase his Department's support for the overseas aid activities of Britain's voluntary agencies; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Chris PattenDecisions on spending under the aid programme for the next financial year have yet to be made. However, this year's budget for the joint funding scheme now stands at £10.5 million which is a 75 per cent. increase on the original allocation for last year. I hope to be able to continue to provide substantial support through the joint funding scheme for the work of British voluntary agencies in the future.