Harriet Harman MP, Labour's Shadow International Development Secretary, in response to Liam Fox's letter to David Cameron on overseas aid, said:

"The commitment to increase overseas aid spending to 0.7% of GNI by 2013 was a manifesto commitment by the Tories and the Lib Dems and was repeated in the coalition agreement. It must not be the next broken promise.

"Britain's overseas aid saves lives in the developing world, but it is also in our national interest to tackle the underdevelopment which can cause conflict.

"This Tory manifesto promise has been reiterated by the Prime Minister at international forums. He must show that Britain keeps its word.

"The way to show they are not going to break this manifesto commitment is to bring in the promised legislation now. The Government must keep the promise."