Overseas Aid Budget

Sir, - I was saddened and ashamed to read your report that the Government intends increasing the overseas aid programme by the equivalent of a scrooge-like 0.2% of the Budget surplus of £1,000 million. This means giving the world's poorest peoples a miserly 20p of every surplus £100. I appeal to the Government to give an amount which does justice to the proverbial compassion and generosity of the people whom they represent. - Yours, etc.,

Frank Boylan,

Wynberg Park,

Blackrock,

Co Dublin.