§ Miss LestorTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is Her Majesty's Government's policy on the report and recommendations of the United Nations Secretary General's advisory group on financial flows for Africa; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Lilley[holding answer 14 March 1988]: Her Majesty's Government welcome this report which is a useful analysis of the African debt problem. We were among the first to draw attention to the emerging problem and our aid programme is substantially directed towards Africa. Last year my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer put forward a three-point debt relief plan for low-income debt-distressed countries which has been well received. Last December the United Kingdom doubled its planned contribution to the newly established IMF enhanced structural adjustment facility which will provide extra finance and support structural adjustment programmes in low-income countries. We have also committed £250 million to the World Bank's special programme of assistance 1988–90 for sub-Saharan Africa. Over the next few months we will be studying the report further and discussing it with our partners.