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Sudan

John Barrett: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what steps he is taking to encourage a free press in Sudan. [127938]

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Hilary Benn: We have regularly raised press freedom with the Government of Sudan bilaterally and through the EU-Sudan Political Dialogue, including at its most recent meeting on 21 July when EU Heads of Mission raised the closure of newspapers and restrictions on reporting. On 9 August President Beshir announced the complete lifting of press censorship. Our Embassy in Khartoum will monitor implementation of this arrangement. In 2003–04 DFID is funding a £9,570 training package for 60 selected young Sudanese journalists in modern journalist skills including editing, publishing and translation.

John Barrett: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what assessment he has made of the warning of the World Food Programme that food rations in Sudan may be cut by 50 per cent.due to a lack of funding. [127939]

Hilary Benn: We remain concerned over World Food Programme reports that only 30 per cent. of their programmes are funded at present. We have provided two and a half million pounds so far this year and will consider further contributions as the need arises, in order that food is provided to vulnerable populations throughout Sudan.

We welcome the progress both the United Nations and World Food Programme have made in recent months to expand humanitarian access; after a gap of five years, the World Food Programme has recently completed a successful barge operation delivering 2000 MT of food to 500,000 people (some for the first time)—and at a considerable saving when compared to the costs of air travel.

We are also aware of the discussions between United States and Government of Sudan over the latter's change in policy regarding the import of genetically modified foods, and hope this can be resolved to the satisfaction of all parties.

Uganda

John Barrett: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what estimate he has made of the number of child soldiers in Uganda. [127932]

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Hilary Benn: Exact numbers of child soldiers within the regular Ugandan Army have yet to be confirmed. We believe that the Government of Uganda is taking serious steps to address this issue. In May 2002 it ratified the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child. It has reinforced army recruitment systems in an attempt to screen out underage recruits. The issue remains a problem for the auxiliary forces, although the numbers are believed to be relatively small. UNICEF, diplomatic missions (including the UK) and the Uganda Human Rights Commission have brought specific cases to the Army's attention. With UNICEF's co-operation, we understand that these children are in the process of being demobilised. We will continue to monitor this issue closely.

UNICEF Uganda also estimates that the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), a rebel group operating in Northern Uganda, has abducted 20,400 children since 1990. Abduction and forced conscription of children is the chief recruitment method of the LRA. 6,000 of these children have yet to be accounted for.

World Trade Organisation

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development whether the Government will provide human resources to aid developing nations in the negotiation process at the forthcoming WTO meeting in Cancun. [127298]

Hilary Benn: The UK trade related capacity building programme continues to provide support to developing countries to build their capacity to negotiate favourable deals in trade negotiations, interpret trade agreements, take advantage of new trading opportunities and reduce any negative effects of trade liberalisation. This includes support to organisations in Geneva offering independent advice, information on WTO issues and networking opportunities for countries with common interests or concerns. This will enable developing countries to draw up informed negotiating positions and connect with other countries with similar interests.

Zimbabwe

John Barrett: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what the latest crop forecasts are in Zimbabwe; and if he will make a statement. [127934]

Hilary Benn: Zimbabwe's maize crop was harvested in May. A joint FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission to Zimbabwe (19 June 2003) indicated that although national cereal production was considerably up on last year, a significant food gap remains.

The Report estimated that cereal production for consumption in 2003–04 will be 980,000 tonnes. This is 41 per cent. higher than last year, but 51 per cent. below the 2000–01 harvest, which was itself significantly below average. Production of maize, the main staple, is forecast at 803,000 tonnes. This is 61 per cent. up on last year, but 46 per cent. lower than in 2000–01 and represents less than half of the national requirement. Wheat production has dramatically declined.

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Although food is now available in many areas, some areas (such as Matabeleland), will require food throughout the year. By January/February of 2004, the UN estimate that 5.5 million Zimbabweans will need help obtaining food. The UK government have just approved support for another £8 million for food aid through organisations such as CAFOD, Save the Children and Christian Aid. This includes food aid for vulnerable groups such as farm workers, children and the chronically ill. The European Commission has also contributed Euro25 million (of which the UK share is about Euro5 million) to this year's WFP emergency appeal.

Mr. Dhanda: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what assessment the Department has made of the effects of the food crisis in Zimbabwe on neighbouring countries. [128190]

Hilary Benn: The food crisis in Zimbabwe is part of a wider crisis of economic collapse and failure of governance. There is no definitive account of the overall effect on the region. However, it is clear that the dramatic shift in Zimbabwe's fortunes from a significant exporter of food to a massive importer—with the majority of its population needing food aid last year and perhaps half this year—has affected food security throughout the region. Food security in other countries in the region has improved significantly following the May harvests. While this short-term progress is welcome, long-term efforts to reduce the likelihood of further food crises in Southern Africa will be unlikely to succeed without significant policy reform and economic recovery in Zimbabwe.

Long-term efforts to increase investment and build economies in Southern Africa will also be hampered so long as present Zimbabwean policies continue. There has been a significant fall in trade with Zimbabwe; increased debt arrears to its neighbours primarily by Zimbabwean state-owned enterprises; and a negative regional image to investors, which has affected levels of foreign direct investment. The poor control of foot and mouth disease now widespread in Zimbabwe has also affected Botswana and threatens South Africa. The increase in illegal trade avoiding government controls between Zimbabwe and its neighbours is an additional negative impact.

The crisis is also leading to higher vulnerability to HIV infection through greater movement of people and higher levels of unsafe prostitution, and has prevented more positive measures to control this pandemic in Zimbabwe, which will impact on the region in years to come. Large-scale migration has also occurred, especially to Botswana and South Africa. This has had a negative impact in terms of the numbers, and sparsely populated Botswana's capacity to absorb such large numbers makes it especially affected. However given the relatively high levels of education of Zimbabweans, it will also have a positive impact on their economies at great cost to Zimbabwe.

Mr. Dhanda: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what assessment the Department has made of the humanitarian situation in Zimbabwe. [128191]

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Hilary Benn: Zimbabwe's maize crop was harvested in April/May, but some parts of the country are already in need of food aid. Although the maize crop is 41 per cent. higher than last year's, this is still less than half of the 2001 crop. The Government of Zimbabwe has prepared its appeal for humanitarian assistance, but has committed few resources of its own due to the dire state of the economy. The amount of food requested from the international community is therefore greater than last year.

The UN and Non-Governmental Organisations are starting to scale up feeding operations. The World Food Programme fed just over one million people in July and this has increased to 1.5 million in August. Approximately another one million are being fed by other international organisations. The UN predicts that 5.5 million people in Zimbabwe (46 per cent. of the population) will require humanitarian assistance by the end of the year. The UK government has just approved support for another £8 million for food aid through organisations such as CAFOD, Save the Children and Christian Aid. This includes food aid for vulnerable groups such as farm workers, children and the chronically ill. The European Commission has also contributed euro 25 million (of which the UK share is about euro 5 million) to this year's WFP emergency appeal.

The UK Government, along with other development partners, is concerned that a new Government of Zimbabwe policy on NGOs could undermine the independence of NGO controlled feeding programme. The UN has already informed Zimbabwe Government that this policy is undermining contributions to this year's emergency appeal. We will be monitoring the situation on the ground carefully and will be prepared to suspend feeding programmes if there are reports of political interference in food distribution.

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