HC Deb 21 May 1997 vol 294 c91W
14. Mr. Bernard Jenkin

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement about the proportion of United Kingdom gross domestic product devoted to overseas aid. [326]

Clare Short

Unlike the previous government, we will keep our word. We remain committed to the 0.7 per cent. UN aid/GNP target.

Sir Teddy Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans Her Majesty's Government have to increase the level of overseas aid. [321]

Clare Short

As we promised during the election we will work within existing ceilings this year and next, we are committed to reversing the decline in UK aid spending.

The previous government committed 30–40 per cent. of our aid budget to be spend through the EU. We are determined to ensure this is spent more effectively.