HC Deb 18 March 1991 vol 188 c6W
Mr. Harry Greenway

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proportion of overseas aid is being spent on educational projects; in what main areas; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Chalker

In 1989, the latest year for which final figures are available, £180.4 million was spent bilaterally on education projects out of a total bilateral expenditure of £1,113 million. Main areas of expenditure were:

£ million
Training Support Schemes 110.5
British Council 43.2
English Language Teachers 13.0
Capital projects 6.9
Books, seminars and research 6.8
180.4

A number of technical co-operation staff working overseas are also in education, but they are not designated by sector.

Much money made available from the aid programme to multilateral organisations such as the World bank, is committed to education. Our bilateral efforts complement this investment.

Future expenditure plans will take into account the priority which overseas Governments give to the call made at the world conference on education for all in Thailand in 1990 for a greater emphasis on basic education and adult literacy.

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