§ 32. Mr. BayleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals the Government have to increase the proportion of bilateral aid spent on meeting basic needs for poor people in poor countries. [20712]
§ Mr. HanleyWe are committed to the goal of poverty eradication in poor countries but we do not set rigid targets about the quantity of aid going to the poor; we are instead most concerned to provide quality, effective aid which makes a lasting impact on basic needs.
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§ 33. Dr. Goodson-WickesTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in how many instances since 1979 aid has ceased because the country was judged no longer to need it. [20713]
§ Mr. HanleyWe have ceased normal bilateral programmes in a number of better-off developing countries such as Korea and Singapore. ODA policy is to continue to concentrate aid further on the poorest countries where it is most needed, and can be used effectively.
Mr. William O'BrienTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the criteria used to allocate overseas aid. [20708]
§ Mr. HanleyThe main criteria for allocating bilateral aid are the needs of the country concerned and the effectiveness with which aid can be used. A number of other factors, including good government, the commitment of recipients to political and economic reform and traditional ties with Britain, are also taken into account. There are also our obligations to multilateral organisations of which we are a member.