§ Mr. ButlerTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proportion of the overseas development budget is devoted to helping overseas countries in their efforts against AIDS.
§ Mr. Chris PattenWe have committed over £17.6 million in support of activities aimed specifically at helping to prevent the further spread of AIDS. Of this, about £11 million was spent in the past two financial years, representing some 0.4 per cent. of the overseas aid budget for those years. Much of our help is given through the World Health Organisation. We are currently the third largest donor to its global programme on AIDS. This year, subject to parliamentary approval, we shall contribute a further £4.5 million to the programme.