§ Baroness Ewart-Biggsasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they send aid, either bilaterally or through non-governmental organisations, to Burma, and whether they will outline the value of any such assistance.
The Earl of Caithness:The British government's bilateral aid programme to Burma was suspended in late 1988, because of our concern over established human rights abuses. Expenditure since then has been limited to residual contract payments under the Aid and Trade Provision (all now complete), completion of training awards for Burmese students already in the UK, pensions and humanitarian assistance. Under ODA's Joint Funding Scheme, support has, however, been provided to non-governmental organisations working in the health sector.
In 1989–90 (the latest year for which figures are available) the details of expenditure were:
52WA
£'000 1989–90 Technical Co-operation 131 Aid and Trade Provision 17 Disaster Relief 4 Non-Governmental Organisations 16 Other 38 Total 206 Figures for expenditure in 1990–91 are not yet available. No aid is planned in 1991–92 apart from possible limited humanitarian assistance to refugees.