HC Deb 20 November 1990 vol 181 cc87-8W
Mr. Dunnachie

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if his Department has considered criticisms made by the National Audit Office of the administration and control of aid and trade provision; and if he will make a statement;

(2) if his Department has considered comments made by the Public Accounts Committee on the administration and control of aid and trade provision; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Sainsbury

[holding answer 14 November 1990]: The aid and trade provision—ATP—forms part of Britain's overseas aid programme. It is jointly administered by my Department and by the Overseas Development Administration. Both Departments consider all reports which comment on the administration and control of ATP. In particular they have considered the recent National Audit Office report on "Bilateral Aid to India" and the subsequent Public Accounts Committee report.

The ODA reply to the Public Accounts Committee report on bilateral aid to India was published in a Treasury minute on the 19–25 report from the Committee of Public Accounts in October 1990 (Cm 1247). A copy is available in the Library of the House.

Mr. Dunnachie

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if his Department has considered comments made by the Foreign Affairs Committee on the administration and control of aid and trade provision; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Sainsbury

[holding answer 14 November 1990]: The aid and trade provision—ATP—forms part of Britain's overseas aid programme. It is jointly administered by my Department and by the Overseas Development Administration. Both Departments consider all reports which comment on the administration and control of ATP. In particular they have considered the report of the Foreign Affairs Committee "Bilateral Aid: Country Programmes" published in 1987.

The Government's reply to the report was published in observations by the Government to the report published in October 1987. A copy is available in the Library of the House.