DIVERTING AID MONEY TO MILITARY AND SECURITY ACTIVITY

Early day motion 1194, tabled 13 May 2004 by Harry Cohen (Labour). Signed by 37 members.

That this House notes that a recent Christian Aid report expresses concern at the dangerous drift towards linking humanitarian and development aid to the fight against terror; that part of the $2.2 billion in aid for Afghanistan this year is apparently being diverted to military projects from long-term redevelopment; that in Uganda in 2002, almost a quarter of the social services budget was used to fund military operations; that aid funds meant to help the poorest people in the poorest countries has been diverted to Iraq and because of inadequate accountability of the Iraq reconstruction fund, some of that money may well be being diverted to military and security purposes; considers that, whilst military and security help to some countries may be appropriate, such assistance should be accounted for openly and from a budget separate from humanitarian and development aid, and that no resources for the former should be taken from the latter.

Signatures by party: Labour 18, Liberal Democrat 12, Plaid Cymru 3, Labour/Co-operative 2, Scottish National Party 2.