The Commons International Development Committee has issued a report saying that it is right right to try to spend increasing amounts of aid money in the world's most difficult and dangerous places, but that money should be tied more clearly to political and social progress.

The chairman of the committee, Malcolm Bruce, says it is important to make it clear that the objective "is to work with governments" to reduce poverty in countries where it is most acute. Governments, however "have to play their part".

He adds that there can be "no absolute unconditional guarantees" of substantial aid indefinitely in circumstances where governments are imposing restrictions on human rights and freedom of speech.

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