Overseas Aid Fund

Oral Answers to Questions — Overseas Development – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 19 February 1970.

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Photo of Mr Hugh Jenkins Mr Hugh Jenkins , Wandsworth Putney 12:00, 19 February 1970

asked the Minister of Overseas Development whether she has now given further consideration to the proposal made to her for the establishment of an overseas aid fund to which the Government would contribute pound for pound with donations from private indivduals and organisations; and what steps she proposes to take.

Mrs. Hart: I believe that the cause of overseas aid is best served by maintaining the present separation between the official development aid programmes which are Government-to-Government in character and the independent contributions of the voluntary bodies.

Mr. Jenkins:

Would not my right hon. Friend consider the possibility of a closer partnership? Is there not an imaginative passibility here of the creation of a fund which private citizens and organisations would perhaps be very well disposed to contribute to if they could be assured that the Government would contribute pound for pound according to their contribution? Will not my right hon. Friend give the suggestion a little further thought?

Photo of Mrs Judith Hart Mrs Judith Hart , Lanark

I have looked at the idea carefully. I think that the problem, summarised, is that the organisations and their contributors value the independent character of the voluntary programmes. This idea might not lead to an increase in aid because it might be a little more difficult for the voluntary organisations to raise money in this way. We have very steady and good co-operation between the Ministry and the voluntary organisations, particularly through the agency of the Voluntary Committee for Overseas Aid and Development, so I do not think that there is much to improve in our relationships with them.