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18 Sept 2003 : Column 889W—continued

Arms Proliferation

Mr. Gardiner: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development whether there is a consensus among European partners on the proliferation of small arms in developing countries. [129854]

Mr. Gareth Thomas: Over the last five years European states, through the European Union and its accession countries, have consistently demonstrated a commitment to support efforts to tackle the proliferation of small arms in developing countries through continuing EU programmes. Currently these programmes are enacted as part of the Joint Action on the European Union's contribution to combating the destabilising accumulation and uncontrolled spread of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW), adopted on 12 July 2002 by the European Council.

The EU aims to strengthen the efforts to reduce the availability and supply of SALW to areas of conflict or potential conflict, to contribute to the development of a range of international measures to limit the demand for SALW in such areas, and to help governments to cope with the problems these weapons cause.

The EU currently supports programmes in Cambodia, in central America through the UN Regional Centre in Lima and in conjunction with UNDP in south eastern Europe (the South Eastern Europe Clearinghouse on Small Arms in Belgrade). EU supported projects in South Ossetia and Albania have recently been completed. In the last three years, the EU has committed around Euro7.5million to these programmes, through the Common Foreign and Security Policy Budget.

In June 2003, EU member states agreed a Joint Position on brokering activities which requires members states to enact legislation to regulate activities of brokers, including brokering of small arms and light weapons.

Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Pipeline

Adam Price: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what representations the Department has received about human rights violations relating to the construction of the Baku-Tblisi-Ceyhan pipeline. [129199]

18 Sept 2003 : Column 890W

Mr. Gareth Thomas: DFID and other Government Departments have received representations from several international and local NGOs about the human rights implications of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline. Officials have held meetings to discuss this issue with NGOs. We have also received correspondence from Members of Parliament and members of the public.

Adam Price: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development if he will make a statement on the latest discussions with regard to the use of public money via the (a) World Bank, (b) European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and (c) Export Credits Guarantee Department for the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline. [129200]

Mr. Gareth Thomas: DFID's interest in the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) project is as a shareholder in the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the World Bank Group. As a shareholder, DFID has a responsibility to ensure that these institutions have properly assessed this project, including possible social and environmental impacts. EBRD and the International Finance Corporation of the World Bank Group are currently carrying out their normal thorough screening and safeguards procedures on the project. Once these procedures are completed, it is anticipated that they will present formal project proposals to their Executive Boards for discussion. As is standard procedure, DFID will make its decision on how to vote on the BTC project once it has received these formal proposals.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, is responsible for the Export Credits Guarantee Department (ECGD). ECGD is currently undertaking its due diligence process for the BTC project. The project sponsors are seeking cover from ECGD for the supply of UK goods and services, and for UK investments related to the project. Cover would only be given if the Department were satisfied that the relevant environmental, social and human rights impacts had been properly addressed, and that the financial and project risks were acceptable.

Central Africa

Mr. Menzies Campbell: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development how much assistance he gave to (a) Rwanda, (b) Uganda and (c) Angola in each of the last five years, broken down by subject under which the assistance was allocated; and if he will make a statement. [130659]

Mr. Gareth Thomas: DFID has a policy of focusing its resources in Africa. Rwanda and Uganda are both countries where we have strong development partnerships. We are currently developing our plans for Angola now that the war has ended there.

£

Rwanda
2002–03
Direct Budget Support	22,032,000
Technical Co-operation	6,723,000
Grants & Aid in Kind	1,423,000
Project or Sector Aid	2,348,000
	32,526,000
2001–02
Direct Budget Support	18,586,000
Technical Co-operation	6,373,000
Project or Sector Aid	1,488,000
Grants & Aid in Kind	741,000
	27,189,000
2000–01
Direct Budget Support	25,400,000
Technical Co-operation	5,589,000
Project or Sector Aid	1,052,000
Grants & Aid in Kind	837,000
	32,878,000
1999–2000
Direct Budget Support	10,000,000
Technical Co-operation	2,440,000
Humanitarian Assistance	1,170,000
Grants & Aid in Kind	784,000
	14,394,000
1998–99
Direct Budget Support	10,000,000
Technical Co-operation	1,356,000
Grants & Aid in Kind	1,281,000
Humanitarian Assistance	1,005,000
	13,642,000
Uganda
2002–03
Direct Budget Support	17,500,000
Technical Cooperation	15,537,000
Project or Sector Aid	13,846,000
Grants & Aid in Kind	5,736,000
	55,142,000
2001–02
Direct Budget Support	35,000,000
Technical Co-operation	14,679,000
Project or Sector Aid .	13,974,000
Grants & Aid in Kind	4,563,000
	68,476,000
2000–01
Direct Budget Support	45,000,000
Project or Sector Aid	17,856,000
Technical Co-operation	15,844,000
Grants & Aid in Kind	7,323,000
	86,342,000
1999–2000
Project or Sector Aid	41,467,000
Direct Budget Support	16,000,000
Technical Cooperation	17,287,000
Grants & Aid in Kind	5,910,000
	81,206,000
1998–99
Direct Budget Support	17,000,000
Technical Co-operation	11,928,000
Grants & Aid in Kind	5,500,000
Project or Sector Aid	17,785,000
	52,574,000
Angola
2002–03
Technical Co-operation	3,970,000
Grants & Other Aid in Kind	184,000
Humanitarian Assistance	5,734,000
	9,888,000
2001–02
Technical Co-operation	1,873,000
Grants & Other Aid in Kind	56,000
Humanitarian Assistance	1,825,000
	3,754,000
2000–01
Technical Co-operation	1,827,000
Grants & Other Aid in Kind	371,000
Humanitarian Assistance	2,240,000
	4,438,000
1999–2000
Technical Co-operation	1,243,000
Grants & Other Aid in Kind	625,000
Humanitarian Assistance	3,236,000
	5,104,000
1998–99
Technical Co-operation	623,000
Grants & Other Aid in Kind	1,185,000
Humanitarian Assistance	2,500,000
	4,308,000

18 Sept 2003 : Column 892W

Economic Activity Development

Mr. Gardiner: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what assessment the Department has made of (a) the extent of extra-legal activity in developing countries and (b) the impact of extra-legal activity on economic development in these countries; and what assistance the Government are offering to increase legal economic activity in developing countries. [129313]

Mr. Gareth Thomas: We are not aware of any comprehensive assessment of the scale of extra-legal activity in developing countries. The impact of crime, in particular corruption, transnational organised crime and money laundering, is undoubtedly profound.

The Department provides a wide range of support to developing countries to help them address these areas. These include developing strong enforcement action against corruption and money laundering, such as strong and effective anti-corruption agencies and financial intelligence units, and establishing the full range of necessary preventive measures, such as strengthening capacity for public sector budgetary and financial management, procurement, accounting and audit; reforming civil service management, enhancing public oversight through strengthened parliamentary committees, developing measures to reduce judicial corruption and supporting civil society to promote transparency and accountability in public life. Helping countries to develop sustained improvements in the climate for productive domestic and foreign investment and facilitating greater private sector development also forms an important part of the Department's work.

We are pleased that negotiations for the United Nations Convention Against Corruption are nearing completion. This instrument will reflect a global consensus on the importance of tackling corruption and improving international co-operation, including the return of corruptly-acquired assets to the country of origin. The UK has played an active role in these negotiations.

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