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Written Answers to Questions

Wednesday 9 March 2005

CABINET OFFICE

Child Poverty

Vera Baird: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what steps his Department is taking to achieve the Government's targets of ending child poverty by 2020, and halving it by 2010; and if he will make a statement. [220884]

Mr. Miliband: The Government set out the steps that Departments across Government are taking to achieve the targets of ending child poverty by 2020 and halving it by 2010 in the Child Poverty Review, published alongside the 2004 Spending Review and available at http://www.hmtreasury.gov.uk/spending_review/spend _sr04/associated_documents/spending_sr04_childpover ty.cfm

PRIME MINISTER

Iraq

Q11. Mr. Bellingham: To ask the Prime Minister what recent representations he has received requesting publication of the advice he was given by the Attorney-General in respect of the legality of the Iraq war. [220732]

The Prime Minister: I have received representations regarding the publication of the Attorney-General's advice on the legality of the Iraq war in the form of parliamentary questions, letters and Freedom of Information requests to my office.

Adam Price: To ask the Prime Minister whether he sought advice on what standard he should apply in determining on 14 March 2003 that Iraq was in material breach of UN Security Council Resolution 1441. [212324]

The Prime Minister: As Lord Butler noted in his report, in coming to the view that Iraq was in further material breach under Operative paragraph 4 of UNSCR 1441:

I also refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave to the hon. Member for Gainsborough (Mr. Leigh) during my evidence to the Liaison Committee on 8 February 2005.

Arctic Convoy Veterans

Q12. Mr. Allen: To ask the Prime Minister what recent discussions his officials have had with the Ministry of Defence regarding recognition for the Arctic Convoy veterans. [220733]


 
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The Prime Minister: There has been an ongoing consultation with the Ministry of Defence on the recognition of the Arctic Convoy veterans. I held a reception at Downing street on Monday evening for Arctic Convoy veterans and announced that their service is to be recognised by the institution of a new official Emblem, to be worn as a recognised addition to medals.

Freedom of Information

Llew Smith: To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the (a) documents and (b) other written material he has released to date in response to Freedom of Information requests; and what categories of information requested his Office has refused to release. [220638]

The Prime Minister: For these purposes my office forms part of the Cabinet Office. Requests for information are considered on a case by case basis in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. There are no categories of information which the Cabinet Office has refused to release.

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on 21 February 2005, Official Report, column 37W, by my hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office to the hon. Member for New Forest, East (Dr. Lewis).

Global Political Challenges

Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Prime Minister what assessment he has made of what the most pressing global political challenges are. [220372]

The Prime Minister: In 2005, the most pressing challenges are dealing with the threat from international terrorism and the spread of weapons of mass destruction. This year presents an opportunity to make significant progress towards a lasting peace settlement in the Middle East. Last week's London meeting on Supporting the Palestinian Authority was an important step forward. We need to build on the successful elections in Iraq and Afghanistan to secure a peaceful future for the people of both countries. We will also use our twin presidencies of the G8 and EU to tackle climate change and address the challenge of development in Africa.

Syria

Mr. Dalyell: To ask the Prime Minister what undertakings he gave to President Assad of Syria in December 2002 about future co-operation between the Government and Syria; and what subsequent discussions he has had on (a) alleged Syrian involvement in Iraq, (b) the presence of Syrian forces in the Lebanon and (c) relations between Syria and Israel. [220880]

The Prime Minister: I made no undertakings to President Assad about future co-operation between the British and Syrian Governments, and have had no subsequent discussions on the issues raised.
 
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INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

HIV/AIDS

8. Mr. Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions he has had with ministers in India and Africa on targeting aid more effectively towards areas suffering from high levels of HIV/AIDS. [220744]

Mr. Gareth Thomas: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I have recently discussed HIV/AIDS with Ministers in India, Malawi, Kenya, Uganda and Mozambique to help target aid for greatest impact. Following my meeting with the Indian Health Minister in October, we agreed to increase UK support to two highly vulnerable states.

We will have further discussions later today with a number of ministers from countries with high rates of HIV/AIDS.

UN Aid Target

9. Kevin Brennan: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer regarding the timetable for the UK to meet the UN target for aid of 0.7 per cent. of gross domestic product. [220745]

Hilary Benn: I held discussions with the Chancellor of the Exchequer during the last Spending Review in which it was agreed that total UK official development assistance (oda) will increase from £4 billion this year to almost £6.5 billion by 2007–08, and oda as a proportion of national income will increase from 0.34 per cent. in 2003 to 0.47 per cent. in 2007. The Government wishes to maintain those rates of growth in the overseas aid ratio which on this timetable would rise beyond 0.5 per cent. after 2008 and to 0.7 per cent. by 2013.

New Partnership for African Development

10. Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will make a statement on the New Partnership for African Development. [220746]

Hilary Benn: The African Union—New Partnership for Africa's Development (AU-NEPAD), promotes African-led development and mutual accountability with donors. We support the AU-NEPAD politically through our commitments to the G8 Africa Action Plan and Africa Partners' Forum and financially through the UNDP Trust Fund, to which we have contributed £500,000 to date.

One of its key aspects is the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), which reviews country performance in economic, political and corporate governance, and socio-economic development. Peer reviews are currently taking place in Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda and Mauritius to which DFID has so far contributed over £400,000. DFID is ready to support the central costs of the APRM through the APRM Trust Fund when it is up and running.

St. Helena

11. Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what measures he is taking to boost the economy of the island of St. Helena. [220747]


 
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Mr. Gareth Thomas: Measures are on-going, and will feature in talks between the St. Helena Government and a visiting DFID mission this week. Recent steps include a wide-ranging fiscal review, expanding the St. Helena Development Agency and a scheme to attract St. Helenians from overseas back to key island jobs. We are currently considering how best to provide for the island's future access needs. Decisions on this, in consultation with the St. Helena Government, will be announced as soon as it is possible to do so.

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