Friday 2nd December 2016

(7 years, 11 months ago)

Lords Chamber
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Lord Bates Portrait Lord Bates
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That is a very good point. Of course, the noble Baroness was a distinguished Minister in the department working in that area. As we move to more cross-government funding through the Conflict, Security and Stability Fund and the prosperity fund, it is important that the same rigour be applied. I am sure the International Development Committee will look closely at that. If not, the Public Accounts Committee awaits.

Lord Hylton Portrait Lord Hylton (CB)
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Can the Minister give us any assurance about flexibility in spending the target of 0.7% of GDP to spread it over a period of years?

Lord Bates Portrait Lord Bates
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I understand that that is the subject of the Bill before the House in the name of the noble Lord, Lord Lipsey. We have great reservations about that because we fought very hard to get where we are with 0.7% and we will not give it up, not least because it was a government manifesto commitment.