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Development Education

Dr. Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she has had with the Department for Education and Skills regarding the inclusion of development education in the National Curriculum. [85744]

Clare Short: There has been frequent contact over the last four years with the Department for Education and Skills regarding the inclusion of development and the global dimension in the subjects taught under the national Curriculum. These discussions led, among other things, to the production of a joint DFID and DfES booklet XDeveloping a global dimension in the school curriculum"; the ongoing production of guidance to teachers on how to bring the global dimension into specific subjects; and the inclusion of developing countries in the Teachers International Development Programme.

Ethiopia

Dr. Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what financial contribution has been made by (a) the UK Government and (b) the EU to (i) the WFP's appeal for Ethiopia and (ii) the Government of Ethiopia to address the food shortages. [85631]

Clare Short : I refer the hon. member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Meriden on 25 November. Official Report, column 29—30W.

Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation

Dr. Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what progress has been made in the research and development of new vaccines for developing countries under GAVI; and if she will list research programmes funded under GAVI. [85745]

Clare Short: GAVI was designed to support research and development (R&D) of new vaccines relevant to developing countries. The first phase of its work was to identify candidate vaccines and stimulate research and innovation, which complemented existing research.

Two potential vaccines, both of which are at an advanced stage of development, were selected for support: against rotavirus (the most common cause of severe dehydrating diarrhoea among children) and pneumococcal disease (a cause of pneumonia and meningitis).

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GAVI has also developed the concept of Accelerated Development and Introduction Plans (ADIPs), which will manage the support to each vaccine and aim to help demonstrate its efficacy, safety and cost effectiveness, encourage uptake and support its introduction. Competitive bids to run the ADIPs for rotavirus and pneumococcal vaccine were requested and proposals were submitted in October 2002. The GAVI board is now in the process of deciding how to respond to these bids. Once the ADIP contracts are awarded then the support to R&D will start.

Global Fund

Dr. Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much her Department has contributed to the Global Fund to fight Aids, TB and Malaria in 2002; and how much she plans to contribute in 2003. [86242]

Clare Short: My Department pledged #138 million to the Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria (GFATM) over five years. Contributions for calendar year 2002 will be #50 million. #25 million was paid in April 2002 and a further #25 million will be paid in December 2002. As the fund gets established, we will closely monitor its effectiveness and the value it adds to the international effort against the three diseases, and review our contributions accordingly. A further #25 million will be contributed in calendar year 2003, depending on performance.

Global Health Fund (Grants)

Dr. Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what percentage of the grants allocated by the Global Health Fund to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria have been for (a) HIV prevention and (b) the provision of anti-retroviral drugs. [85746]

Clare Short: Under the first round of applications to the Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria (GFATM) US$ 616 million was approved and committed for the first two years. Nearly 70 per cent. of these resources are for HIV/AIDS programmes.

Of the 28 countries with approved HIV/AIDS proposals from the first round, 20—over 70 per cent.—include some money for highly active anti retro viral therapy (HAART). The first round proposal form did not request specific data from applicants on how much money would be expended on antiretrovirals. However, the Fund estimates that approximately 20 per cent. of money from the first round was allocated to the provision of drugs (some of which will be for antiretrovirals), and 20 per cent. on commodities (some of which will be for HIVprevention).

Rape (Democratic Republic of Congo)

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps are being taken to (a) reduce incidents of rape and (b) provide support for rape victims in the Democratic Republic of Congo. [85880]

Clare Short: We are extremely concerned about the levels rape and violence to which women in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are subjected.

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Through our Embassies in Kinshasa and Kigali, and through direct contact with local authorities when visiting the East, the UK Government raised the urgent need to address these issues with representatives from all sides including the RCD and Rwandan authorities. We are establishing a DFID office in Kinshasa from December 2002 and will be better placed to raise issues with relevant authorities in government held areas. We also support a number of civil society organisations, including International Alert and local rights organisations, that are working in eastern DRC to monitor and raise rights abuses with authorities, as well as providing some limited support to women victims.

Rwanda

Dr. Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much financial support the United Kingdom Government has given to (a) the International Criminal Tribunal Court and (b) the establishment of Gachacha community courts in Rwanda in (i) 2001 and (ii) 2002. [85743]

Clare Short: The United Kingdom provides support to the UN International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) through assessed annual contributions made by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office from the Conflict Prevention Pool. The UK share of the budget was #3.475 million in 2001 and #3.782 million in 2002. The United Kingdom has not so far provided any direct support to the establishment of Gacaca community courts in Rwanda. DFID has however provided substantial direct budgetary support to the Government of Rwanda amounting to #18 million in 2001–02 and 22 million in 2002–03. The Government of Rwanda can allocate these funds to finance priority activities such as Gacaca in accordance with their national poverty reduction and reconciliation objectives. DFID representatives in Kigali participate in donor coordination mechanisms related to Gacaca. We are reviewing options for possible support to the Gacaca process in 2003

Sexual Abuse (Zimbabwe)

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what progress is being made in (a) investigating allegations and (b) reducing incidents of sexual abuse in the Tongogara refugee camp in Zimbabwe. [85881]

Clare Short: The country representative of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, together with the Zimbabwean authorities, have completed their investigation. Both parties have implemented a number of measures to address the problems found. Two non-governmental organisation staff have been dismissed, and the number of personnel working in the camp has been increased. There is now a greater 24-hour presence, including Police officers and women personnel. UNHCR's office has also been strengthened to ensure on-going monitoring of the work of NGO partners implementing support programmes for the refugees.

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WALES

Coalfields Regeneration Trust

Mr. Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what sum is paid to Wales under the Coalfields Regeneration Trust; and what the budget is for England and Wales. [84190]

Mr. Touhig: The total budget of the Coalfields Regeneration Trust to fund regeneration projects in coalfield (and former coalfield) communities across England, Scotland and Wales is #50 million over three years from its launch in late 1999. Wales' allocation is #3.462 million.

Pay Differential

Mr. Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the pay differential between Wales and the rest of the UK in the last 12 months. [82200]

Peter Hain: Based on the latest figures available (from the New Earnings Survey, April 2001—April 2002), the average personal salary in Wales is #20,784.40 (#399.70 p.w). The Office for National Statistics publishes figures for GB rather than the UK. The corresponding figure for GB as a whole is #24,164.40 (464.70 p/w). Expressed as a differential, the average Welsh salary is 13.99 per cent. lower than the average salary for GB as a whole.

Salaries

Mr. Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what the average personal salary is in (a) Wales and (b) the rest of the United Kingdom. [82375]

Peter Hain: Based on the latest figures available (from the New Earnings Survey, April 2001—April 2002), the average personal salary in Wales is #20,784.40 (#399.70 pw). The Office for National Statistics publishes figures for GB as opposed to the UK. The equivalent figure for GB as a whole is #24,164.40 (#464.70p/w).

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