§ 72. Mr. Andrew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proportion of gross domestic product the United Kingdom currently spends on overseas aid.
§ Mrs. ChalkerThe latest available figure for United Kingdom net official development assistance expressed as a percentage of gross national product is 0.32 per cent. in 1988.
78. Mr. Alan WilliamsTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has any plans to increase the share of gross national product spent on official development assistance to developing countries.
§ Mrs. ChalkerAs announced in Cm. 1002, the Government plan to increase the aid programme from £1,502 million in 1989–90 to £1,750 million in 1992–93. On the basis of the forecast for United Kingdom domestic inflation contained in the Autumn Statement published on 22 November 1989 this represents an increase of 4 per cent. in real terms. The Government accept in principle the United Nations 0.7 per cent. target for official development assistance as a proportion of gross national product but recognise that progress towards this target must depend on economic circumstances and other calls on resources.