How can the Minister seriously tell the House that there is a commitment to the expansion of Third World aid when he has, for example, in this Estimate put a derisory allocation of £1,000 available for disaster relief where there is a 29 per cent cut in aid to four of the poorest countries of the world and where this Government propose to renege on an express commitment given by Government in March 1986 to giving an additional £1.5 million to the world food fund, apart from other express commitments? Is that not one of the most cowardly gestures ever seen in this House, to provide, for example, £1,000 for disaster relief? I am sure that is a joke. If it was not so tragic it would be laughable. How can the Minister defend those three examples?

If the Deputy had been listening he would have heard my answer which was, that the maintenance and expansion of official development aid will occur as soon as economic circumstances permit. Secondly, the amount of £1,000 is a token Estimate. The Deputy, having been in office, knows what a token Estimate is.

What does it mean in this case? Is it very token?

It is very token, yes, but it allows the Department in cases of emergency to help by reallocating funds.

Is the Minister of State saying that there is more money available for disaster relief if it arises?

If the Deputy wants to ask a question he should rise in his place and do so.

I apologise.

He should wait for the Minister's reply first.

The Minister——

The Minister had not completed his remarks.

Does he then suggest that more money is going to be available for disaster relief if the need arises?

If the need arises, the very fact that there is a token figure in the Estimates means that money could be allocated from other areas.

Will it be?

That will be decided at the time.