§ Mr. BayleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the countries which receive priority for bilateral aid under the Government's policy of providing aid to the poorest. [6186]
§ Mr. HanleyIn 1994–95, 55 per cent. of ODA bilateral aid, including emergency aid, went to the top 20 recipients. Of these, 17 were among the poorest countries in the world —with a GNP per capita under $676 in 1992. The other three were lower middle income countries—with a GNP per capita between $676 and $2,695 in 1992. The countries concerned are in the table.
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§ Mr. Raymond S. Robertson[holding answer 5 December 1995]: No information is collected centrally on the general use of asbestos in the construction of public sector dwellings. However, it is estimated from the first Scottish house condition survey that in 1991 between 3,000 and 5,000 public sector dwellings had sheets or tiles of cement reinforced by asbestos as their principal roof cover.
Local authorities were reminded in 1983 of their duties in connection with asbestos materials in buildings and urged to check whether asbestos products were used in any part of their housing stock. Further guidance was issued in 1986. It is for local authorities, Scottish Homes and new town development corporations to deal with any problems arising from asbestos from within the resources made available to them by the Secretary of State.