Those magnificent men in their flying machines

[Gromit]

Some people seem to begrudge giving £52million aid to starving Africans in these times of austerity.

Should we therefore be spending £10.5Billion on some new military refuelling aircraft?

// The RAF has bought 14 of the aircraft - a converted Airbus A330-200 airliner - under a 27-year private finance initiative contract worth £10.5bn with the AirTanker consortium. //

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14171910

Surely the money could be better spent on hospitals and care for the elderly?

[Wrongn3mber]

I mentioned a similar point earlier gromit and you're correct, we spend many billions on illegal wars and unneccesary military toys whilst our country crumbles. Your point of hospitals and care homes for the elderly would be greatly welcomed.

[joeluke]

The £52million aid would be better spent on hospitals and care for the elderly too

[B00]

Sadly, and I do mean sadly, I agree with Mr Luke here.

[emmie]

AOG's post said, the further extra £52m, and you said that billions are wasted in the NHS, in reply when i mentioned trying to get help for a relative. So now you are saying that more money should go to the NHS, or more precisely to the elderly, which is what i said all along. As to buying military hardware, that has to be factored in budgets, when you consider our forces are currently deployed in many regions, not least Afghanistan.

[Gromit]

Em10

I did not say that. I said disgusting amounts have been spent on the NHS. I never said it was wasted, I was in favour of every penny spent on hospitals during Labour's 13 year reign of terror.

Aid too is factored into budgets. The Conservatives said they would spend big on aid in their manifesto, and they got the most votes, so they have a mandate to spend it.

[TheTruthHere]

The NHS will safe in our hands, We will look after our brave boys and girls in the forces.

No need to worry about tuition fees if we get in power.


The people of this country do not realise how much debt we are in after this last shower were in power.

We are all in this together.

We must all tighten our belts and spend less except me as i am the boss and like to flash your cash on the international scene

I Mr C have spoken

[TTG]

Are other "wealthy" countries giving £52 million in aid?

[Gromit]

TTG - Yes they are

// The post-2000 period, however, has seen a resumption of large disbursements of grants and loans from the United States, the European Union, individual European nations, Japan, the People's Republic of China, the World Bank, and the African Development Bank. These funds totaled US$1.6 billion in 2001.
In November 2007 the magazine The Economist reported that there is tangible evidence that the foreign aid given to Ethiopia reaches the people it is meant to, based on a visit to the South of the country. Roads, schools and water systems are being built and "there are few complaints about corruption, a fact that continues to make Ethiopia popular with foreign donors". //

[TheTruthHere]

Gromit // In November 2007 the magazine The Economist reported that there is tangible evidence that the foreign aid given to Ethiopia reaches the people it is meant to, based on a visit to the South of the country. Roads, schools and water systems are being built and "there are few complaints about corruption, a fact that continues to make Ethiopia popular with foreign donors"//

November 2007 schools and water systems are being built

July 2011 Have they been built and if yes why the water problem ?

[Gromit]

TheTruthHere

Because God has not made it rain.