ONCE every four years, the States takes the opportunity to think – at least briefly – about matters beyond Bailiwick shores.

Overseas Aid is that rare beast in government: an altruistic subject where Guernsey gets no obvious benefit apart from some positive PR.

Indeed, in the eyes of people for whom charity begins and ends at the coastline, such aid is not only pointless but an unnecessary cost.

Generally, however, it is a hidden subject. Untalked about and operating largely in the background.

Figures released in June’s Billet report show, nevertheless, that the island is doing a lot of good around the world.Figures released in June’s Billet report show, nevertheless, that the island is doing a lot of good around the world.

From helping a trust for orphans in Uganda through to creating literate communities in Somalia, improving sanitation in Burkina Faso and battling disability in India the list is impressive.

In total, more than £2.3m. was spent in 2009 on grant aid for 80 projects ranging from agricultural support to education and healthcare.

And yet, for an island noted for its charitable generosity, its government is sadly failing to punch its weight.

The benchmark provided by the United Nations, which Policy Council has pledged to work towards, is to spend 0.7% of the island’s gross national income on helping poor communities abroad.

At present, the Bailiwick is not even close to that – 0.13%.

Predictably, efforts to narrow the gap are among the first victims of the recession.

With no money in the pot and calls for caution, it is all too easy for the States to tighten its purse strings in distant foreign lands where no one will ever complain. No debate, it’s a fait accompli.

The danger is, of course, that freezing the budget during the tough times will make it even harder for the island to attain that UN target in the good times.

Jersey is going through many of the same hardships, yet its already much larger budget has again been increased to more than £8m.

Rather like falling behind on loan repayments, Guernsey is at risk of falling so far behind it will never catch up to its obligations.