§ Mr. Tom ClarkeTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the implications of the spending plans and the projections of economic growth and inflation announced on 30 November for the level of aid to developing countries.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThe spending plans announced on 30 November reflect the Government's firm commitment 265W to a substantial and effective aid programme. The aid budget, covering aid to developing countries and assistance to central and eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union, is planned to rise by £83 million by 1996–97, compared with the 1993–94 provision. The Government do not forecast future aid/GNP ratios. The DAC ratios are calculated on calendar year expenditure.
§ Mr. Tom ClarkeTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much of the combined aid budget for the current financial year announced on 30 November will be devoted to assistance to(a) central and eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union and (b) developing countries, as defined by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThe provision for 1993–94, announced last year, is £1,900 million for aid to developing countries and £232 million for assistance to central and eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. From 1994–95 there will be a combined aid budget. Details of expenditure by country and region will continue to be shown in the annual British aid statistics.
§ Mr. Tom ClarkeTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much of the combined aid budget announced on 30 November for each of the years 1994–95, 1995–96 and 1996–97 will be devoted to assistance to(a) central and eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union and (b) developing countries, as defined by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThe combined aid budget will allow the Government to allocate aid more effectively in response to the needs of countries individually. The main focus of our aid programme will continue to be to reduce poverty and suffering in the poorest countries, particularly those in Africa and Asia, as well as to provide know-how assistance for countries in central and eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. The levels of our assistance are carefully reviewed each year in the light of the public expenditure survey outcome. Details of expenditure by country and region will continue to be shown in the annual British aid statistics.