§ Dr. SpinkTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the bilateral aid projects commenced in the last 12 months.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydIt is provisionally estimated that in 1992–93 the bilateral programmes of assistance to developing countries and central eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union that could be allocated by region totalled £1,012.7 million. Of this, £386.2 million was spent in Africa, £311.2 million in Asia and £48.6 million in eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. Of £584.6 million of bilateral assistance allocable by sector, £105–6 million was spent on education and £48.9 million on health.
The development assistance committee of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development has acknowledged our aid programme for its effectiveness and for being directed to those countries most in need. Over 80 per cent. of our bilateral aid to developing countries, allocable by income category, goes to the poorest countries£those whose 1991 GNP per capita was less than $765. We press the multilateral institutions of which we are member to undertake a continuing search for more effective ways of doing business.
I shall write to my hon. Friend with further information.