Overseas Aid — Question

Part of the debate – in the House of Lords at 3:30 pm on 27 February 2013.

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Photo of Baroness Northover Baroness Northover Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip), Lords Spokesperson (Department for International Development) 3:30, 27 February 2013

My noble friend is right to ask for that. It is extremely clear that the OECD defines what does and does not count as overseas development assistance. Most of our peacekeeping, for example, goes through the UN. Some 6% of that budget counts as ODA, and the rest does not. With the EU civilian missions, 100% counts under the ODA rules. This is extremely clearly defined. Where the MoD supports humanitarian assistance-the Navy, for example, supplies tents, as it did in Jamaica after the hurricane-that is counted as assisting and not as providing military equipment. These things are clearly defined.