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Somalia
Mr. Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the projects in Somalia supported by her Department as part of (a) multilateral and (b) bilateral projects; and if she will make a statement. [109487]
Clare Short: We do not have a bilateral aid programme to Somalia. Humanitarian projects currently funded by DFID are as follows:
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We are monitoring the humanitarian situation in Somalia closely and will continue to respond to urgent needs as they arise. Many of the problems facing the Somali people are, directly or indirectly, the result of political instability. We believe the problems of Somalia as a whole must be resolved by the Somalis themselves and we fully support the current initiative of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to promote a peaceful solution.
Mr. Burden:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what measures her Department is taking to help reduce the employment of child workers. [109333]
Clare Short:
We are strongly committed to the elimination of child labour. We have actively supported the development of the International Labour Organisation's (ILO) new Convention on Worst Forms of Child Labour. We are providing core and project funding to ILO's International Programme for the Elimination of Child Labour (IPEC).
Activities to end child labour need to address the main cause--poverty. Parents do not let their children work in dangerous and exhausting industries by choice. Any sustainable solution will have to include alternative income-earning opportunities for poor families. However, in many places finding alternative forms of income is difficult. The best outcome for many children may be to combine work with education. This may be the first step in breaking the inter-generational cycle of poverty.
Much of our work is aimed at promoting economic growth, improving access to education and increasing job opportunities. We are also supporting a number of initiatives which focus specifically on child labourers and their families including significant programmes in both India and Pakistan and, through ILO, in Indonesia. We are developing a strategic approach to child labour in Asia which will look at key international, regional and national stakeholders with interests in or influence on child labour. These strategies are looking at not just child worker specific projects but also the need for special efforts in wider education, rural livelihoods and urban-based programmes, to include children who work. We hope through these projects to develop successful approaches
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which can be replicated elsewhere. However, in the long term it is through a comprehensive process of sustainable development that change will come about.
Mr. Chaytor:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will give a breakdown of the humanitarian aid being directed through non- Governmental organisations to Pakistan in 1999-2000, listing for each project (a) the NGO concerned, (b) the recipient organisation, (c) the sum involved and (d) the purpose of the project. [109336]
Clare Short:
As the information is lengthy, it has been placed in the Library.
Mr. Worthington:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the current situation in Angola concerning the need for humanitarian aid and the supply of such aid. [109251]
Clare Short:
The UN estimate 3.7 million people will require humanitarian assistance in 2000. Two million of these are internally displaced. The conflict has caused large numbers of others to move to neighbouring countries to escape the conflict. The humanitarian status of one third of the population, in inaccessible areas, remains unknown.
The UK has committed about £7.5 million since the beginning of 1999 to international Non Governmental Organisations and UN Agencies. This includes US$6.2 million (some £3.8 million) for food aid through the World Food Programme. In addition, we contribute through our membership of the European Community.
The United Kingdom has called on all concerned to help facilitate safe passage for humanitarian personnel and the delivery of emergency assistance in areas under their control.
Mr. Worthington:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development to what extent the situation in Angola permits the provision of development aid as well as humanitarian aid; and if she will list the current provision of such aid. [109252]
Clare Short:
The on-going civil war in Angola is a severe constraint to sustainable development. The quality of public expenditure and corruption are both serious concerns. Britain does not have a bilateral aid relationship with the Government of Angola. However, we provide humanitarian assistance to those in need and are also supporting the Luanda Urban Poverty Programme, which started in 1999, working through international Non Governmental Organisations to tackle the needs and priorities of the urban poor in Luanda.
Mr. Dobbin:
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to ensure that (1) training
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for Benefits Agency doctors draws attention to the need for sensitivity in their dealings with vulnerable claimants; [109032]
(2) benefit claimants doctors receive appropriate training in the working of the benefit system. [109033]
Mr. Bayley:
Training for Benefit Agency doctors is a matter for Peter Mathison, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to my hon. Friend.
Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Jim Dobbin, dated 11 February 2000:
Mr. Field:
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many members of BASIS's Business Development Team are (a) under investigation for suspected fraud and (b) not discharging duties for some other reason. [108960]
Mr. Rooker:
This is a matter for Peter Mathison, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to my hon. Friend.
Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Frank Field, dated 11 February 2000:
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Action Contre La Faim: "Emergency Nutritional Intervention in Gedo and Bakool Regions" (£96,122)
AMREF UK: "Luuq District Health Programme" (£288,735)
World Vision: "Primary Health Care in Juba" (£281,703)
In addition the following Civil Society Fund Projects are funded:
Action Aid: "Pastoralism and Peace Building" (£440,896)
Africa Educational Trust: "Educational Incentives--Girls/Young Ex-Militia Men" (£83,411)
Africa Education Trust: "Organisation/Skills Training in Community Schools" (£51,660).
There is currently one multilateral project funded by DFID: UNICEF "Supplementary Feeding Programme, Bardera" (£00,000). Britain also supports the work of other multilateral agencies in Somalia including the World Food Programme. In addition we are contributing £4.38 million as our contribution to a Euro 47m EC Rehabilitation Programme.
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions about what plans he has to ensure that training for Benefits Agency doctors draws attention to the need for sensitivity in their dealings with vulnerable claimants, and that they receive appropriate training in the working of the benefit system.
All examining doctors, employed by Sema Group and engaged by Nestor Disability Analysis (NDA), receive training in the Professional Standards of Medical Services. These standards include a requirement for doctors to be accessible, punctual, reliable, presentable, approachable, courteous, and friendly. Other specified standards include the requirement for the doctor to introduce him or herself to the person to be examined; to allow the claimant time to give their history, asking any questions in a non-adversarial manner; to explain the purpose of the examination; and to carry out the examination gently to avoid any unnecessary discomfort to the claimant.
The Chief Medical Advisor to the Department is responsible for setting the standards which all doctors, undertaking medical examinations, must achieve, and approves all training material.
The subject of professional standards is discussed during initial training and the standards are listed in full in the guidance notes that are given to each doctor. The training currently in place, ensures that all examining doctors are fully aware of the need for sensitivity whilst carrying out medical assessments on vulnerable claimants with disabilities.
As part of their training doctors are made aware of how their role fits into the overall benefit process. However, they do not make decisions on benefit claims nor do they offer advice on the technical details of the benefit concerned, these are matters for the Benefits Agency Local Offices.
I hope this is helpful.
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about how many members of BASIS's Business Development Team are (a) under investigation for suspected fraud and (b) not discharging duties for some other reason.
The Business Development Team provides a number of support services for the rest of BASIS and currently has 27 staff.
All allegations and suspicions of fraud on the part of Benefits Agency (BA) staff are properly considered and fully investigated. Whilst some investigations do unearth irregularities on the part of the staff and result in various penalties for those involved, many establish that the individuals have acted with propriety and are not involved in inappropriate activities.
It is important that investigations of this kind remain confidential, not only to protect innocent staff, but also to avoid alerting fraudulent staff to the fact that their activities are being examined.
I hope you will accept therefore that it would be inappropriate to provide you with any details of investigations of suspected fraud by BA staff that may currently be underway. Information on fraud detected on the part of BA staff is available in Her Majesties Treasury Return published in January 2000.
There are no members of the BASIS's Business Development Team that we would regard as not discharging their duties.
I hope this is helpful.
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