asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the areas in which his Department has an involvement in Overseas Development Assistance or other programmes to bring help to the Third World; if he intends to review his Department's involvement in these areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Overseas Development Aid.
30.
My Department's involvement in Overseas Development Assistance arises through (a) our membership of FAO, and participation in its associate professional officer scheme and its international fertiliser supply scheme; (b) our biennial commitments to supply food aid under development schemes administered by the World Food Programme and (c) our international obligations to supply food aid in cereals form under the Food Aid Convention.
We have maintained the level of this aid in real terms throughout recent years notwithstanding the severe exchequer constraints. The level of the aid given by my Department is constantly reviewed.