§ Mr. BattleTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was his Department's response to COM (90) 176 "Guidelines for Co-operation with the Developing Countries in Latin America and Asia".
§ Mrs. ChalkerWe warmly welcome the emphasis in the Asia/Latin America guidelines on help for the poorest countries; on measures for the protection of the environment, including tropical forests; on support for the fight against drugs; and on human rights. The guidelines have been discussed at length—including in two Development Councils—since they were first produced in June 1990. Decisions on the financial package are likely to be taken shortly.
§ Mr. BattleTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the financial value of development aid from the EC member countries to the Latin America and Asia developing countries (i) in total, (ii) direct financial aid, (iii) technical co-operation and (iv) food aid from 1979 to 1989.
§ Mrs. ChalkerTotal net overseas development assistance to the developing countries of Asia and Latin America through the EC for the years 1979 to 1988, the latest year for which figures are available, is as follows:
£ million 1979 79.67 1980 83.72 1981 161.89 1982 124.96 1983 130.82 1984 188.77 1985 133.91 1986 156.67 1987 176.62 1988 233.78 The United Kingdom share of this assistance was approximately 20 per cent.
The further breakdown requested by the hon. Member is not published by the European Commission.