§ Lord Redesdaleasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether, in view of the United Kingdom's increasing commitments to the European Union aid budget and in the light of the freeze in the United Kingdom aid budget for the next three years in real terms, they continue to support the United Nations target of 0.7 per cent. of GNP for overseas aid; and, if so, when they will set a timetable to achieve that target.
§ The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Chalker of Wallasey)We have agreed to reach the UN aid/GNP target as soon as possible, but are not prepared to set a timetable for reaching it. The increased funding for the aid programme announced by my right honourable friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 29 November demonstrates our commitment to a substantial aid budget.