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INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Aid (Cost-effectiveness)
14. Mr. Nicholas Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps she is taking further to improve the cost effectiveness of overseas aid. [3868]
Clare Short: The Government will publish a White Paper this autumn which will set out how, through more coherent policies, we will address our prime objective of eliminating poverty and promoting sustainable development.
Yemen
16. Mr. Rhodri Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what proposals she has to improve the targeting of development aid programmes to Yemen. [3871]
Mr. Foulkes: The bilateral programme focuses on key priorities agreed with the Yemeni Government. These are support for the World Bank programme to regenerate Aden Port and help to strengthen economic and financial management within Ministries playing a leading role in Yemen's economic recovery. We also contribute to EU assistance to Yemen.
UNESCO
17. Mr. O'Hara: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what consultations she has held on the renewal of United Kingdom membership of UNESCO. [3872]
Clare Short: I met Mr. Mayor, UNESCO's Director-General, in London on 2 June. I will follow this up with a visit to UNESCO on 1 July and take the opportunity to meet the UK staff of the organisation. My officials had an initial meeting with the United Nations Association and the Friends of UNESCO on 18 June.
Mr. Blunt: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development which programmes will not now proceed as a result of the cost to her Department of the UNESCO subscription. [5263]
Mr. Foulkes: I refer the hon. Member to the replies my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Development gave to the hon. Member for Richmond Park (Dr. Tonge), Hansard 2 June 1997, column 26, and to the right hon. and learned Member for Sleaford and North Hykeham (Mr. Hogg), Hansard 20 May 1997, column 37.
Aid (Targeting)
18. Mr. Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans she has to ensure that the overseas aid budget is targeted for the benefit of the poorest people in less developed countries.[3873]
Clare Short:
The Government are committed to eradicating poverty and promoting sustainable development. We are developing coherent policies which promote real and lasting development for poor people.
25 Jun 1997 : Column: 557
I am reviewing our existing spending programmes to ensure resources are focused on our central objective of eradicating poverty.
The Government will issue a White Paper in the autumn setting out how we will work with our partners to tackle global poverty and promote sustainable development.
19. Mr. Illsley:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps she plans following the Prime Minister's announcements at UN General Assembly special session concerning the promoting of sustainable development. [3874]
Clare Short:
My Department will follow through the Prime Minister's commitment to sustainable development and combatting poverty in the forthcoming White Paper and play a key role in the initiatives announced on climate change and energy efficiency, forests and fresh water as well as the replenishment of the global environment facility.
20. Mr. Jim Cunningham:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what progress she has made in implementing her commitment to take steps to reduce third world debt. [3875]
Clare Short:
Both my right hon. Friend the Chancellor and I have been working to secure a solution to the debt problems of the poorest countries. Agreement on debt relief for a number of countries is expected from creditors over the next few months.
21. Mr. Pond:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of a possible link between poverty in the poorest countries of the world and poverty and hardship in the industrialised countries. [3876]
Clare Short:
The poor face the same hardships across the world: unequal opportunity; homelessness; lack of income, assets and skills. The country made clear in the general election that it wanted an increase in social justice at home and abroad.
22. Mr. Mitchell:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she intends to continue British membership of UNIDO. [3878]
Clare Short:
I had a useful meeting with the Director-General of UNIDO, Mr. Maurico de Maria y Campos, on 12 June. UK membership of UNIDO is now under active review.
23. Mr. Baker:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what account she takes of human rights issues in deciding her priorities for overseas aid. [3879]
25 Jun 1997 : Column: 558
Clare Short:
My Department will adopt a human rights based approach to development. Our distinct contribution will be to focus on those rights which are important for the elimination of poverty and the dignity of the disadvantaged. We will seek to establish development partnerships with Governments that share our aim of poverty eradication.
24. Mr. Clapham:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussion she has had with the heads of multilateral humanitarian agencies about current multilateral aid programmes. [3880]
Clare Short:
I attended a Humanitarian Forum in Switzerland on 8-10 June hosted by the International Committee of the Red Cross, and had discussions with heads of humanitarian agencies. This included the difficulties of access to populations affected by armed conflicts, deliberate attacks on humanitarian workers and violations of international humanitarian law.
My Department is reviewing UK policy on humanitarian assistance as part of the overall process of reform in the UN system.
25. Mr. Bayley:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans she has to increase the emphasis in United Kingdom bilateral aid on counteracting poverty. [3881]
Clare Short:
The elimination of poverty is at the centre of our agenda. I am currently reviewing all of our programmes to ensure that resources are targeted accordingly. A White Paper will issue in the autumn setting out how, through more coherent policies, we will tackle global poverty and promote sustainable development. I am delighted that there is to be a debate on International development policies on 1 July, during which hon. Members will have an opportunity to feed their thoughts and ideas into the paper.
26. Mr. Godsiff:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance her Department has made available to the refugees displaced by the conflict in Indian-controlled Kashmir to date; and what plans she has for such assistance in the future. [3882]
Clare Short:
We have made the following contributions to the Committee of the International Red Cross (ICRC) for its operations in Kashmir and Jammu which include protection, visiting detainees, monitoring and dissemination of International Humanitarian Law.
27. Valerie Davey:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what funding her Department is providing for humanitarian mine clearance. [3883]
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Clare Short:
The UK has committed over £31 million, including our share of European Community activities, to humanitarian demining operations since 1991. We remain committed to an active programme of humanitarian mine clearance.
28. Mr. Ottaway:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what policies she has to address the issue of world population growth. [3884]
Clare Short:
Our priority is for the elimination of poverty through sustainable development. This goal is impossible to achieve without the early stabilisation of world population. More and more people want to plan their families, have fewer children and give them a better start in life. Many millions are unable to do so. Strategies which improve access to family planning and other reproductive health services will be at the forefront of our international development partnerships.
Mr. Vaz:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on aid to Africa. [3857]
Clare Short:
Forty per cent. of people living in Sub Saharan Africa are living in poverty. This is why Africa is a major focus of our programme. As my hon. Friend will have noticed the Prime Minister announced two initiatives at the Denver summit. First, to increase our commitments in the next three years to basic education, health care and the provision of safe drinking water by 50 per cent. Second, we agreed to untie our contribution to the Special Programme for Africa (SPA).
Future appeals would be sympathetically considered.
1994-95: 150,000
1995-96: 150,000
1996-97: 150,000
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