| Previous Section | Index | Home Page |
17 Dec 2002 : Column 707W—continued
Gambia
John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on recent levels of malnutrition among children in Gambia. [87172]
Clare Short: The most recent figures for levels of malnutrition in The Gambia that we are aware of, come from a nutritional survey carried out in October 2002 by the World Food Programme (WFP), in collaboration with other agencies, in 29 villages. This found levels of acute malnutrition among children surveyed to be 11.2 per cent. Children in the age group between 12 and 23 months were found to be worst affected.
17 Dec 2002 : Column 708W
Landmines (Angola)
John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what impact she estimates landmines are having on humanitarian efforts in the Mavinga region of Angola. [85878]
Clare Short: On 2 December, a vehicle belonging to Medicins Sans Frontieres (MSF) working on an emergency relief project in the southeastern region of Mavinga, funded in part by DFID, was blown up by a mine resulting in the deaths of 7 people, and the wounding of 6 others. As a result of this tragic incident, MSF have stated their intention to reduce their humanitarian activities in the area—one of the worst affected in Angola. Relief agencies in Angola state that landmines continue to restrict the delivery of humanitarian assistance.
According to the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Human Affairs (OCHA), Angola is one of the most heavily mined countries in the world. As many as 70,000 Angolans are believed to have lost limbs as a result of landmine explosions. My Department has allocated US$ 459,000 to UNDP for a project aimed at improving the effectiveness of mine action through strengthened coordination and planning at the provincial level in Angola. We will also be contributing 19.7 per cent. of the Euro6 million which the EC has recently made available for mine action in Angola. This includes 5 million for a variety of mine-clearance agencies.
Nigeria
John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the fairness of political party registration in Nigeria; and what impact the registration of political parties in Nigeria has made on the country's transition to democracy. [87173]
Clare Short: The Supreme Court ruling of 21 November 2002 upheld the Independent National Electoral Commission's (INEC) right to set guidelines for the registration of political parties, but held that these guidelines could not impose requirements in excess of those set out in the constitution. As a result, 22 new political parties have now been registered, bringing the total to 28. Though the initial ruling by INEC was exclusive, the court system was used to good effect by the excluded parties to ensure a much broader participation. Thus, while the courts ruled that INEC was not 'fair' to have excluded parties in the first place, the system as a whole can be judged to have been fair.
The registration of the additional parties will cause administrative difficulties, but it could have a beneficial impact, allowing more people to become involved in politics, and could increase the likelihood that parties will form on issue-based platforms. However the full impact of the registration of 22 new parties is yet to be felt. My Department is working closely with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to monitor developments.
Primary Education
Tony Worthington: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development in which countries increased
17 Dec 2002 : Column 709W
funding for primary education over the next five years will be spent and how; and how much of this will be spent in World bank Fast Track countries. [87569]
Clare Short: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Clydebank and Milngavie on 18 November 2002, Official Report, columns 15–16W).
Spending Review
Mr. Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list for her Department (a) those Comprehensive Spending Review 1998 targets that were outstanding at the time of the statement on the Comprehensive Spending Review 2002, (b) progress on such targets since then and (c) the expected date when targets not yet achieved will be met. [87698]
17 Dec 2002 : Column 710W
Clare Short: My department publishes progress against all our outstanding Public Service Agreement targets in our Departmental Report (published in April 2002) and our Autumn Performance Report (published in October 2002). These are available at www.dfid.gov.uk.
Sub-Saharan Africa (Health Care)
Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much money was spent on healthcare services per person last year in sub-Saharan Africa. [87088]
Clare Short: Latest figures available in the World Bank's publication XWorld Development Indicators 2002, Table 2.15 Health expenditure, services and use" shows $41 of health expenditure per capita in Sub Saharan Africa. This includes public and private health expenditure, plus for some countries, external sources (mainly foreign assistance).
17 Dec 2002 : Column 711W
DEFENCE
Ambulances
Mr. Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many ambulances are available to each armed service; and how many of these are air conditioned. [87685]
Dr. Moonie: The Army and the Royal Marines have 768 battlefield ambulances (BFA) and 68 armoured ambulances. At present, all the armoured ambulances, and 43 of the BFA are fitted with air conditioning units (ACU). Units are also able to convert the FV 432 and BV 206 vehicles for use as ambulances as and when appropriate. These are not air conditioned.
The RAF has 28 BFA and 55 trauma management vehicles for crash rescue on airfields. These are not air conditioned.
In addition to ambulances, the Ministry of Defence has 109 coaches with an ambulance role, which are not air conditioned.
Ammunition
Mr. Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what types and tonnage of ammunitions were brought into the United Kingdom by his Department in the last 12 months. [86564]
Dr. Moonie: During the past 12 months, the following types of ammunition have been brought into the United Kingdom as a result of overseas procurement:
7.62 mm BALL, 21 mm Rocket System, 21 mm Training System, 0.5 4B/IT, 338 inch (various), 12.7 mm IMP, 5.56 mm AP, 9 mm (various), 66 mm, Goalkeeper FMPDS, 14.5 mm Artillery Training L21A1 (Charge), 40 mm Grenades (various), Enhanced Performance Grenade, 60 mm Mortar Bombs.
I am withholding information regarding the tonnage of ammunition brought into the United Kingdom in accordance with Exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.
Cyprus (Christmas Mail)
Mr. Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what delays he expects to occur with the forces' Christmas mail to Episcopi in Cyprus. [87637]
Dr. Moonie: No delays are expected to any mail posted by the published Xlatest posting" dates, which were 6 December for parcels and 16 December for letters and packets.
D-Day
Mr. Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for UK involvement in celebrations to mark the 60th anniversary of D-Day in Normandy; and if he will make a statement. [87036]
Dr. Moonie: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 31 October 2002, Official Report, column 881W, to the hon. Member for North Essex (Mr. Jenkin).
17 Dec 2002 : Column 712W
Dalton Barracks
Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 19 November 2002, Official Report, column 36W, what the regular staff complement of officers and ranks at the Dalton Barracks in Oxfordshire is; how many deaths have been reported in and around the barracks since 1990; and what is the numerical breakdown of these deaths by cause. [86050]
Mr. Ingram: There are some 1,500 military personnel currently based at Dalton Barracks, Abingdon, with three Close Support Regiment and 4 General Support Regiment Royal Logistic Corps. Available records indicate that there have been four deaths at Abingdon since 1990. I am unable to release details of the cause of death in each case, as this may lead to the identification of individuals and compromise service personnel confidentiality. I am therefore withholding the information under Exemption 12 (Privacy of an Individual) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.
Defence Diversification Agency
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many inquiries have been received by the Defence Diversification Agency since its inception; how many of these were received through its Scottish office; how many led to a successful outcome; and if he will make a statement. [86386]
Dr. Moonie: The Defence Diversification Agency, now in its fourth year of operation, has received some 2,653 inquiries, of which 198 were from Scotland. All inquiries were successfully processed with about 50 per cent. leading to follow-up technology/knowledge transfer.
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which Scottish firms have had negotiations with the Defence Diversification Agency in each year since its inception; and if he will make a statement. [86393]
Dr. Moonie: The Defence Diversification Agency has had dealings with some 200 companies through its Scottish offices. The listing of these companies by date of inquiry, where we have such a record, is set out in the table.
17 Dec 2002 : Column 715W
| Next Section | Index | Home Page |