Oral Answers to Questions

Ian Murray Excerpts

Wednesday 12th December 2012 Commons Chamber

[Ian Murray (Edinburgh South) (Lab)]

3. How her Department plans to reach the Government’s target of spending 0.7% of gross national income on development aid by 2015.

[Chris Ruane (Vale of Clwyd) (Lab)]

4. How her Department plans to reach the Government’s target of spending 0.7% of gross national income on development aid by 2015.

[The Minister of State, Department for International Development (Mr Alan Duncan)]

The Government are committed to spending 0.7% of gross national income on development assistance from 2013 and thereafter. The Department’s budget after the 2012 autumn statement adjustment is sufficient to meet this commitment, along with planned official development assistance from other Government Departments.

[Ian Murray]

The coalition agreement states that the Government will enshrine in legislation the 0.7% commitment. Can the Minister tell us when the Government will work towards that commitment or is it just another broken promise?

[Mr Duncan]

The Prime Minister has been absolutely clear that the Government will introduce legislation to make this a legal requirement as soon as parliamentary time allows. As evidence of good faith, the hon. Gentleman should notice that we are behaving as if the legislation were already in place, and we will meet the 0.7% commitment.