§ 14. Dr. Julian LewisTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what proportion of the United Kingdom aid programme was devoted to emergency relief operations, and disaster preparedness and prevention programmes in 1997–98; and what provision she has made for 1998–99. [42511]
§ Clare ShortThe Department for International Development (DFID) expenditure figures for the financial year 1997/98 are not finalised. However, we estimate that the proportion of the bilateral aid programme provided to232W disaster relief, emergency food aid, short-term refugee relief and disaster preparedness will be around 8 per cent. of total bilateral expenditure.
Full statistical information for 1997/98 will be published later in the year as the British Aid Statistics and I will place copies in both Houses. Adequate provision has been built into 1998/99 planning for both foreseeable relief needs and unforeseeable emergencies.