HL Deb 28 February 1997 vol 578 c111WA
Lord Judd

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is their priority for education within the bilateral aid programmes to low income countries and why expenditure for education has consistently fallen as a percentage of aid to such countries since 1992–93.

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Chalker of Wallasey)

Basic education, including primary education, junior secondary, adult literacy and non-formal education is a priority objective within our bilateral development assistance programmes to low income countries. Expenditure recorded under the broad education sector code, as a percentage of development assistance to such countries has been maintained at a consistent percentage level of between 10 per cent. and 13 per cent. since 1987–88 although in 1992–93 the figure rose to a high of 13.63 per cent. As new projects, approved in 1995 and 1996, totalling over £140 million come on stream and others currently under development are approved, annual expenditure on basic education projects for low income countries is expected to rise in real terms over the next few years.

Lord Judd

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Why expenditure for education within their aid programme to low income countries stood in real terms at £42,993,000 in 1995–96 as compared with £55,059,000 in 1991–92.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

The figures quoted relate only to expenditure recorded under the broad education economic sector code. Because of the nature of ODA's project funding, it is normal for expenditure to fluctuate for any one sector year on year. When a number of projects start around the same time, this can distort the overall picture. The figures for 1995–96 should be read against this background; during 1995 and 1996 a new spending cycle commenced, with approval being given to major education projects for Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Kenya, Malawi and Zambia totalling over £140 million overall. In fact, spending on major education projects and education activities within multi-sector projects to low-income countries totalled £82.2 million in 1995–96 compared with £45.8 million in 1991–92.