HC Deb 10 March 1994 vol 239 cc312-3W
Mr. Meacher

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what percentage of overall development assistance was accounted for by the aid and trade provisions each year since 1978.

Mr. Goodlad

The percentage of the gross aid programme taken up by ATP expenditure since 1978 is:

Per cent.
1979–80 3.4
1980–81 2.6
1981–82 5.1
Per cent.
1982–83 4.5
1983–84 2.5
1984–85 5.0
1985.86 3.0
1986–87 6.4
1987–88 3.7
1988–89 4.0
1989–90 4.0
1990–91 5.6
1991–92 5.4
1992–93 4.8

Mr. Llew Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what arrangements have been established by the Overseas Development Administration to ensure the proper use of aid and trade provision funds provided by his Department; and what powers of discovery Overseas Development Administratioin officials have in regard to access to records of foreign nationals involved in ATP projects.

Mr. Goodlad

Following the announcement of the aid and trade provision review on 17 June 1993,Official Report, columns 675–76, ODA appraisal, approval and monitoring procedures for ATP projects have been brought into line with those applied to other bilateral aid projects. Under the Government-to-Government ATP grant agree-ment, ODA has rights of access to information relevant to the ATP contract between the overseas Government and the contractors.

Mr. Llew Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will investigate allegations that ATP funds, or other public funds provided through ODA programmes, have been used to bribe foreign officials or business men to secure contracts for British companies.

Mr. Goodlad

Yes. If there is any such evidence available, we do and will investigate any allegations.