HC Deb 08 July 1991 vol 194 c259W
42. Mr. Watson

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the average percentage of gross domestic product spent on overseas aid in other EC member states; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Chalker

Figures are available only for those member countries of the European Community which are also members of the development assistance committee of the OECD. The overall average percentage of gross national product given in overseas aid by these seven countries, excluding the United Kingdom, was 0.56 per cent. in 1989.

Mrs. Margaret Ewing

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what facilities exist to discuss overseas aid with EC counterparts; and what proposals are envisaged for the development of a single EC policy on aid.

Mrs. Chalker

I have regular meetings with my EC colleagues on all aspects of aid policy. I have just returned from an informal Development Council which met in the Netherlands over the weekend. A wide range of issues was discussed.