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Agricultural Produce (EU Reforms)
Mr. Gibb: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what assessment has been made of the impact of EU reform of the (a) sugar, (b) oil, (c) cotton, (d) tobacco and (e) olive oil regimes on trade exports to the United Kingdom from (i) least developed countries covered by the Everything but Arms agreement and (ii) non-least developed countries in sub-Saharan Africa. [128615]
Hilary Benn: The Commission is analysing a number of options for reform of the EU sugar regime although, to date, no formal proposals have been made. DFID has already undertaken its own analysis on the impact on developing countries of the four families of reform options suggested by the Commission earlier this year. In addition, DFID has commissioned a study to explore the potential need for adjustment assistance for ACP countries with preferential access to the EU sugar market that may lose out from a reform of this regime. This analysis includes both least developed and non-least developed countries in sub-Saharan Africa. This study will be presented to the Commission.
As agreed at the Luxembourg Council (June 2003), the Commission is expected to release a second round CAP reform proposal covering olive oil, tobacco and cotton in autumn 2003. The reforms will be based on the approach and objectives of the June 2003 CAP reform. On receipt of these reform proposals, DFID will consider the issue of assessing their implications for developing countries. There have not been any recent changes to the EU oil seeds regime nor are there expected to be.
International Conference onPopulation and Development
Mrs Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development whether the Government intends to reaffirm its commitment to the International Conference on Population and Development's Programme of Action. [128388]
Hilary Benn: The Government remains firmly committed to the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD)'s Programme of Action, including the target of achieving access to reproductive health for all by 2015. Reproductive Health continues to be a priority for DFID. We are convinced that reproductive health and rights are vital
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to making progress to attaining the Millennium Development Goals to combat HIV/AIDS and reduce maternal and child mortality. We also consider it a basic right of women and men to exercise informed and responsible choice in matters relating to their sexual and reproductive health.
The Government will continue to work with the international community to ensure that reproductive health receives the priority it demands. We plan to produce a public policy statement on reproductive health before the end of the year.
Iraq
Mr. McGrady: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what further steps will be taken (a) to provide ongoing development and humanitarian aid for the reconstruction of Iraq and (b) to address the needs of the communities there. [128273]
Hilary Benn: The Department for International Development has now committed £198 million towards humanitarian and reconstruction assistance in Iraq. This money is being used to support essential services such as health care, food supply, electricity, water and sanitation, and to undertake reconstruction and mine clearance work. The aim is to achieve real and rapid improvements to the lives of ordinary Iraqi citizens. Most of the funding is channelled through United Nations –agencies, the Red Cross and Red Crescent movement and NGOs, which have the capacity and experience to implement humanitarian and development programmes effectively on the ground. DFID is also financing projects managed by commercial companies. £20 million was recently approved for spare parts, equipment and rehabilitation work to improve service delivery in the power, fuel and water sectors in southern Iraq.
Future allocations will be considered in view of social and economic needs assessments under preparation by the UN, World Bank and IMF.
Lynne Jones: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what measures the Department is taking to rebuild Iraq's seed supply. [128608]
Hilary Benn: The UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) is focusing its current activities in Iraq on the procurement and distribution of seed and other inputs for the winter planting season, which is the immediate priority for Iraqi farmers. DFID has provided £1,500,000 to FAO to support agriculture in conflict-affected areas of southern Iraq, including the provision of seed. In the longer term, priorities may include the creation of grain banks.
Sierra Leone
Mrs Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what progress is being made towards the alleviation of poverty in Sierra Leone. [129445]
Hilary Benn: There is insufficient data available since the end of the civil war to show trends in poverty reduction. In 2001, The Government of Sierra Leone
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published an Interim Poverty Reduction Strategy, focused on re-establishment of security and economic recovery. The Government hopes to complete a full Poverty Reduction Strategy by mid-2004. It will be the basis for targeting Government and donor resources on poverty reduction. The preparatory process includes a household expenditure survey and sector studies that will provide information on the extent and depth of poverty, a baseline for future monitoring and poverty reduction measures. We are providing extensive support to the preparation of the strategy.
WORK AND PENSIONS
Benefit Applications
Mr. Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) what estimate he has made of the average time taken to deal with an application made using the Pension Credit telephone application line; [128745]
- (2) what targets he has set for dealing with applications made using the Pension Credit telephone application line. [128746]
Mr. Pond: The average time to complete a Pension Credit application for customers using the telephone application line is currently about 20 minutes. Reliable information on the time taken to process applications is not yet available. However, the Department's published Service Delivery Agreement includes a three-year target to ensure that Pension Credit applications are processed on average within 10 days once the necessary information and evidence has been obtained.
Child Support Agency
Mr. Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will require the Child Support Agency to provide evidence of its assessment of the financial status of (a) the parent in care and (b) the absent parent to either of the parties concerned if they request it. [127290]
Mr. Pond: The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mr. Doug Smith. He will write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Doug Smith to Mr. Brian Jenkins, dated 15 September 2003:
- The Secretary of State in replying to your recent Parliamentary question about the Child Support Agency promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive.
- You ask if he will require the Child Support Agency to provide evidence of its assessment of the financial status of (a) the parent in care and (b) the absent parent to the parties concerned if they request it.
- The Agency is only concerned with the financial status of a parent with care and a non-resident parent to the extent to what this is relevant in meeting their statutory functions.
- An award notification is sent to both parties following a new or fresh calculation of maintenance liability. This notice provides information to enable both parties to understand how the amount has been arrived at, including the relevant income information. If either party wants to know more about the decision or they disagree, the notification advises them to contact the Agency who will then explain the decision in detail and answer any questions the client may have.
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International Labour Organisations
Dr. Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) what plans the Government have to ratify (a) the International Labour Organisation Seafarers' Welfare Convention 163 (1987) and (b) the International Labour Organisation Seafarers' Welfare Recommendation 173 (1987); and if he will make a statement; [128754]
- (2) if he will list International Labour Organisation conventions which the United Kingdom has (a) declined to sign and (b) not yet signed; and if he will make a statement. [128756]
Mr. Pond: The Government have no plans to ratify ILO Convention 163 for the reasons given in the 1989 White Paper (Cm 658), and notes that only 12 member states of the ILO have so far ratified. There is no procedure for ratifying an ILO recommendation. The United Kingdom is addressing the issue of seafarers' welfare by participating actively in ILO discussions aimed at consolidating the existing body of ILO maritime instruments within a new single instrument.
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A total of 65 ILO conventions, including all of the 'core' ILO conventions, which cover freedom of association and the right to organise and collective bargaining; the elimination of forced and child labour; and the ending of discrimination in employment, are in force in the UK. We also observe in principle many of the requirements of unratified conventions. The ILO has recognised the need to keep its instruments under review and recently withdrew or shelved 27 out of date conventions, while next year's conference will consider the withdrawal of 16 out of date recommendations. The ILO has also recognised the importance of a coherent approach to labour standards including through the proposed new consolidated maritime instrument and the general discussion at this year's International Labour Conference which for the first time was based on an integrated approach, taking account of all existing ILO instruments in the area of occupational safety and health.
The table shows the ILO conventions which the United Kingdom has not ratified or has ratified and subsequently denounced. In recent years a number of conventions have been denounced automatically due to ratification of new, more up-to-date conventions which subsume the requirements of earlier instruments. We will continue to review unratified conventions.
Notes:
1. Conventions 5, 7, 10, and 15 were denounced as a result of ratification of the Minimum Age Convention 138 (1973).
2. Convention 63 was denounced as a result of ratification of the Labour Statistics Convention 160 (1985).
3. Convention 18 was denounced on ratification of the revised Workmen's Compensation (Occupational Diseases) Convention 42 (1934).
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