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18 Jun 2003 : Column 238W—continued
Overseas Visits
Mr. Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list (1) (a) the location, (b) the purpose and (c) the cost of each overseas visit made by members of his Department since 1999; [115144]
- (2) how much his Department has spent on overseas visits in each year since 1999. [115146]
Peter Hain: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Yeovil (Mr. Laws) by the Minister of State for the Cabinet Office on 22 January 2003, Official Report, column 334W. The Wales Office is committed to ensuring that staff use the most efficient and economic means when accompanying Ministers on overseas visits. All travel is undertaken fully in accordance with the rules set out in the Ministerial Code and Travel by Ministers, copies of which are available in the Libraries of the House.
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Rural Economy
Mr. Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with (a) First Minister of the National Assembly, (b) the National Farmers Union of Wales, (c) the Farmers Union of Wales and (d) the Country Land and Business Association on the impact on the Welsh rural economy of the decreasing number of agricultural holdings in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [119336]
Peter Hain [holding answer 16 June 2003]: I have regular meetings with the First Secretary to discuss a variety of issues in relation to agriculture. I have not yet met with any of the farming unions or the Country Land and Business Association.
As with most rural issues, agriculture is fully devolved to the Assembly and it would therefore be for the Welsh Assembly Government to handle these issues. However, my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales has regular meetings with the Assembly Minister for Environment, Planning and the Countryside to discuss a variety of issues. My ministerial colleague and I would be happy to meet with representatives from the Farming Unions and the Country Land and Business Association.
Rural Proofing
Mr. Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he last met the chairman of the Countryside Agency to discuss rural proofing. [115575]
Peter Hain : I have not met with the chairman of the Countryside Agency to discuss rural proofing. The Countryside Agency is an English body, which is responsible for countryside issues in England only. The Welsh equivalent is the Countryside Council for Wales, which is the Government's statutory adviser on sustaining natural beauty, wildlife and the opportunity for outdoor enjoyment in Wales and its inshore waters.
As with most rural issues, the matter is fully devolved to the Assembly and it would therefore be for the Welsh Assembly Government to handle these issues. However, my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales has regular meetings with the Assembly Minister for Environment, Planning and the Countryside to discuss a variety of issues. My ministerial colleague and I would be happy to meet with representatives from the Countryside Council for Wales.
INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Mr. Dhanda: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what assessment he has made of the humanitarian situation in Ituri, Democratic Republic of the Congo. [119553]
Hilary Benn: A DFID humanitarian adviser has recently returned from an assessment mission in Ituri. The first humanitarian priority for people in Ituri is basic security. The fighting in the area frequently targets civilians. Casualties and victims among civilians are far more numerous than those among fighters. After
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security, medical services, clean water, sanitation, distribution of relief items and shelter are priorities. People displaced by fighting are in the most urgent need. As a result of the assessment mission, we have allocated up to £5 million to finance proposals we expect to receive shortly from UNICEF, Save the Children and other agencies working in the area. We have already agreed a grant of £450,000 to Merlin for emergency health care in Ituri. In addition, DFID recently provided £1 million to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA) for its Emergency Humanitarian Initiative in Ituri and other emergency situations in the DRC.
The UK is working at different levels to try to address these needs. We are supporting the wider peace process in the DRC and are contributors to the UN Mission in Congo (MONUC) and the Interim Emergency Multinational Force (IEMF) to try to bring about an improvement in security.
Mr. Dhanda: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what assessment he has made of (a) the availability of clean water and (b) the availability and distribution of other essential provisions for displaced persons in Ituri, Democratic Republic of Congo. [119554]
Hilary Benn: Following on from the report of DFID's humanitarian adviser who visited north Kivu and Ituri during the week of 2 June 2003, we have assessed that clean water and relief items, including food, are a priority. Following this assessment mission, we have allocated up to £5 million to finance proposals from international NGOs and UN agencies to meet urgent humanitarian needs in Ituri.
We have also provided £1 million to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) for Emergency Humanitarian Interventions in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and have agreed with the UN that Ituri will be a priority for these funds.
Mr. Dhanda: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what support his Department is giving to displaced persons in Ituri, Democratic Republic of Congo. [119555]
Hilary Benn: A DFID humanitarian adviser visited Ituri in early June 2003 to have detailed discussions with humanitarian agencies about their support needs. As a result, we have allocated up to £5 million to finance proposals we expect to receive shortly from UNICEF, Save the Children and other agencies working in the area. We have already agreed a grant of £450,000 to Merlin for emergency health care in Ituri. In addition, DFID recently provided £1 million to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA) for its Emergency Humanitarian Initiative in Ituri and other emergency situations in the DRC.
The UK is also contributing to the Interim Emergency Multinational Force for the stabilisation of Bunia, and is committed to helping the parties to the wider conflict in DRC to reach a lasting and peaceful solution through the early establishment of the
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proposed Transitional National Government. Only by achieving this can displaced people return home confident of their security and prospects for the future.
Export Control Act
Mr. Gardiner: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what discussions the Department has had with the Department of Trade and Industry on the secondary orders for the Export Control Act 2002; and whether the Department proposed under changes to the draft orders before they were published. [119325]
Hilary Benn: Strategic export control policy is agreed by the four Departments involved in export licensing and policy—DFID, DTI, FCO and MOD. DFID was fully consulted prior to the publication of the January 2003 consultation document on secondary legislation.
Food Aid
Mr. Fallon: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what steps he is taking to ensure that food aid from UK charities and non-governmental organisations is reaching people in the affected areas of Zimbabwe. [119544]
Hilary Benn: It is a fundamental principle of the international humanitarian system that food aid be distributed to all those in most need of assistance—regardless of political affiliation. Food aid provided by the UN, bilateral donors and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) is distributed in accordance with clear criteria of vulnerability. The selection of beneficiaries is developed and checked through registration exercises within the community, and food is distributed by NGOs outside of government systems.
Both the UN and DFID have detailed monitoring mechanisms in place to check that food is being distributed according to the agreed humanitarian principles and selection criteria, and that problems are investigated as they arise and adjustments made on an on-going basis. The UN and NGOs are committed to investigating all complaints and problems that arise and to resolve these wherever possible.
UK NGOs and charities are playing a vital role in responding to the crisis in Zimbabwe, and DFID's country team supports and assists those present in Zimbabwe. DFID would be grateful for details of any specific concerns or complaints so that these may be investigated.
Iraq
Mr. Gardiner: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what sources of expertise the Department has used for measures to restore water services in Iraq. [118940]
Hilary Benn: The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), UN agencies, and the Coalition Provisional Authority have made available information on water services in Iraq.
DFID's support for the water and sanitation sector in Iraq is channelled through the ICRC, UN agencies and NGOs, which have their own sources of technical
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expertise working in collaboration with Iraqi water managers on the ground. A DFID adviser, working with the Coalition Provisional Authority in Baghdad, specialises in infrastructure issues, including water supply.
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