International Development Bill – in a Public Bill Committee am 2:37 pm ar 15 Mawrth 2001.
Amendment proposed [this day]: No. 12, in page 2, line 32, leave out from `assistance''' to end of line 35 and insert
`means assistance in the fields of economic development, administration and social services, consisting in the making available of the services of any body or person, training facilities, the supply of material, or the results of research undertaken in any such fields.'.
Dame Cheryl Gillan
Shadow Minister (Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs), Shadow Minister (International Development)
We had reached the stage at which the Minister had responded to the Amendment, which would include in the definitions the term ``economic development''. The wording was taken from the Overseas Development and Co-operation Act 1980.
I must admit that the Minister did not convince me by his brief response that there was anything wrong with the old wording, and I cannot for the life of me understand why we must embark on a new definition. The attitude adopted appears to be ``out with the old and on with the new'' for no good reason. I will therefore withdraw the amendment, because I should like to explore the matter on Report and Third Reading. I hope that by doing so I can make up for lost time, and that the Minister will give me credit for having done so. I beg to ask leave to withdraw the amendment.
Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.
Clause 5 ordered to stand part of the Bill.
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