asked the Minister of Overseas Development what proportion of the British overseas aid budget has been disbursed through international or multilateral agencies in each of the last five years; and if that proportion is likely to be further increased.

The proportion of our overseas aid disbursed through international or multilateral agencies in each of the last five years was:

	Percentage
1972	18
1973	23
1974	25
1975	31
1976	27

The relative proportions of our bilateral and multilateral aid involve a number of factors. I expect the proportion of multilateral disbursements in 1977 to be about 28 per cent.