§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy that any proposals for a reduction in the overseas budget shall not affect those programmes aimed at fighting poverty in the developing world. [39936]
§ Mr. HanleyThe overriding goal of the British aid programme is to improve the quality of life of people in poorer countries by contributing to sustainable development and reducing poverty and suffering. Her Majesty's Government will maintain a substantial and effective programme increasingly focused on the poorest countries.
§ Mr. CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what communications he has had from the president of the World bank about the priority to be accorded to fighting poverty in the developing world by the developed nations. [39962]
§ Mr. HanleyAt the annual meetings of the World bank and IMF in October, the president made a strong appeal for adequate funding of the International Development Association to ensure that global efforts to support poverty reduction in the poorest countries are not set back.
§ Mr. CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Secretary of State for Defence about the reduction of arms sales as a contribution to fighting poverty in the developing world. [39938]
§ Mr. HanleyMy right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State has made no representations to the Secretary of State for Defence on this matter.
The United Kingdom actively supports the emphasis placed by the donor community, including the International Monetary Fund and the World bank, in their relations with developing countries on the implications for economic and social development of an excessive level of military expenditure. We have made it clear that we consider the setting of an appropriate level of military expenditure to be an important part of good government. It is one of the factors we take into account when deciding our allocations of bilateral aid.
544W
§ Mr. CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth, Affairs what commitment Her Majesty's Government have made to encouraging economic and social development in the world's poorest nations as recommended in the 1980 Brandt report. [39942]
§ Mr. HanleySustainable economic and social development is at the heart of the United Kingdom's overseas aid programme. Many of the recommendations of the 1980 Brandt report have been incorporated into policy making. Around two thirds of our bilateral aid allocatable by income group goes to the world's poorest countries.