§ John BarrettTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the answer of 15 July 2002,Official Report, column 73W, on development assistance, what strategy he has for raising UK official development assistance to the UN target of 0.7 per cent. of GNP from 2005–06. [72544]
§ John HealeySince this Government came to power our aid has doubled and our aid ratio has increased from 0.26 per cent. in 1997, to 0.32 per cent. in 2001. The Government have pledged our aid ratio will rise to 0.40 per cent. in 2005–06, its highest level since 1981. This will take the UK above the commitment agreement at the UN Financing for Development conference held at Monterrey in March, to bring the EU average oda/GNI ratio to 0.39 per cent. by 2005–06. This is also more than double the current G7 country oda/GNI average of 0.18 per cent. and above the current OECD average of 0.22 per cent.
1186WAny timetable beyond 2005–06 is a matter for future Parliaments.