What recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for International Development on proposals to ensure the Government meet a target of allocating 0.7 per cent. of gross national income to overseas development assistance by 2013.

Treasury Ministers and officials have meetings on a wide variety of issues, including this topic, with a wide variety of public and private sector organisations. The Government remain committed to meeting the target of allocating 0.7 per cent. of gross national income to overseas development assistance by 2013, and we will set this target in legislation.

Is my hon. Friend aware of any discussions involving those who recognise that ODA funding has also got to be matched against the need for increased resources to combat climate change, and will we set out our stall ahead of the Copenhagen summit?

My right hon. Friend is absolutely right, in the sense that one of the key things that many of the poorest countries in the world face today is not just the challenge of getting out of poverty, but having to adapt to climate change, which will hit some of them the hardest. That is why it is vital that we do agree on climate change financing in the run-up to Copenhagen. This will be discussed by G20 Finance Ministers at the weekend; however, it is important that it be seen as separate from the funding that will be provided to help some of the poorest countries out of poverty.

If I remember correctly, back in 1997, the Labour Government had the aspiration of 0.7 per cent. of gross national income being spent on overseas development. Why, therefore, is it in the last year of the Labour Government that they are proposing to put that into legislation?

We will not take any lectures from the Conservatives on overseas aid, given that they slashed the budgets year on year. We have seen sustained improvement in the amount of money going to help some of the poorest countries as a result of the 12 years of this Labour Government; indeed, it is one of the things I am most proud of. We have said that we will meet our interim target of 0.56 per cent. by 2010. We are on track to do that, and we will also, as my right hon. Friend Mr. Clarke clearly pointed out, lead the way in having a climate change deal that will help the poorest countries of the world.