Globally, between 1990 and 2000, overseas development aid fell steadily from 0.33% of donor country GNP to 0.22%. This decline is at odds with the commitment to achieve the agreed target of 0.7% of developed countries' GNP to be transferred as overseas development aid. It has serious consequences for the least developed countries, who are dependent on such aid which provides nearly 90% of their long-term capital inflows. This will have very serious repercussions in those countries which need this funding. It is shameful for the Government to carry on in this way, reducing aid to Third World countries. What it is doing is evident and people have contacted me on this matter.