§ Mr. SinghTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what commitment the Government have made in terms of the percentage of GNP to which the International Development budget will be increased during the next five years. [26700]
§ Clare ShortWe are committed to reversing the decline in the development assistance budget and to moving towards the UN target of 0.7 per cent. of GNP. We have undertaken to work within existing financial 473W ceilings this year and next, while conducting a comprehensive expenditure review to ensure that all our resources are used effectively, in accordance with out policy priorities. Having done so, we can justify increasing the development assistance budget from 1999–2000.