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Written Answers to Questions
Wednesday 9 November 2005
INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Labour Standards
7. Dr. Iddon: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will make a statement on the steps his Department is taking to improve the treatment of workers in developing countries. [25991]
Hilary Benn: Implementation of proper labour standards can play an important part in reducing poverty. DFID is supporting a range of activities to improve the treatment of workers in developing countries, including the elimination of child labour and trafficking for forced labour. Our support is primarily given through the International Labour Organisation. But we also support the work of non-governmental organisations, trade unions and business, for example through the Ethical Trading Initiative.
Kashmir Earthquake
8. Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will make a statement on the UK's relief effort following the Kashmir earthquake. [25992]
Hilary Benn: To date, we have allocated £33 million for the immediate relief effort. We are prepared to do more to help ensure the survival of the affected population through the forthcoming winter months. Our immediate assistance has included search and rescue, provision of priority relief materials, funding of air transport including helicopters and support to the United Nations, Red Cross and non-governmental organisations. In addition the European Commission has pledged €93.6 million for relief and reconstruction. The UK's share of this is £11 million.
I will continue to update the House of the details on what we are doing through our regular Situation Reports. These are also available to the public on the DFID website at: www.dfid.gov.uk.
13. Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the urgent unmet humanitarian need in Kashmir following the earthquake. [25998]
Hilary Benn:
The situation remains critical. More and continuing assistance is needed. The United Nations has developed a priority plan targeting assistance to an estimated 200,000 individuals in the high valleys, as well as 150,000 people expected to settle in both spontaneous and planned camps. The focus of the plan is an emergency shelter programme, medical evacuations, pre-positioning of food assistance for 700,000 and the maintenance of mobile health units and vaccination services. Additionally, site planning and construction of 30 camps, repair of vital damaged water supply systems
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and installation of latrines, establishment of temporary schools, and provision of heating and cooking supplies for 150,000 in camps.
World Trade Organisation
9. Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps his Department is taking to ensure that the interests of developing nations are taken into account in the current World Trade Organisation negotiations. [25993]
Mr. Thomas: Working with DTI and other Government Departments, and in line with the aims and objectives set out in the 2004 Trade and Investment White Paper, we are actively pursuing an outcome to the WTO talks which delivers real development gains. DFID works with the poorest group of developing countries to ensure their views are represented in the WTO by providing technical assistance and policy research, and through direct engagement with Least Developed Countries.
12. Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps the Government are taking during its presidency of the EU to encourage other EU countries to support a fair deal on trade for developing countries at the World Trade Organisation talks. [25996]
Hilary Benn: The Government have had regular contact with EU member states about securing a good development outcome to the current WTO round of trade negotiations. Most recently I held discussions with European Development Ministers at the Informal Council of Development Ministers on 24 October in Leeds, also attended by the European Commissioner for Trade. Specifically we discussed the concept of Aid for Trade, which would help developing countries adjust to new trading conditions as well as support their supply side needs so that they are better able to benefit from the increased opportunities which trade liberalisation could bring.
14. Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps his Department is taking to promote the needs and interests of developing countries at the current round of World Trade Organisation negotiations. [25999]
Mr. Thomas: Working with the DTI and other Government Departments, and in line with the aims and objectives set out in the 2004 Trade and Investment White Paper, we are actively pursuing an outcome to the WTO talks which delivers real development gains. DFID works with the poorest group of developing countries to ensure their views are represented in the WTO by providing technical assistance and policy research and through direct engagement with least developed countries.
China
10. Mr. Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions the Government plans to have with the Chinese President during his visit to the United Kingdom to encourage humanitarian reform in China. [25994]
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Mr. Thomas: My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister will be discussing a range of issues with President Hu. China's response system to humanitarian emergencies is developing fast and we welcome China's readiness to offer its expertise in responding to international humanitarian disasters such as the tsunami and earthquake in Pakistan.
Medical Staff (UK Recruitment)
11. Anne Moffat: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the impact on health services in developing countries of recruitment to the UK of medical and nursing staff from the developing world. [25995]
Hilary Benn: The Code of Practice for the International Recruitment of Healthcare Professionals prevents the NHS from actively recruiting health workers from developing countries.
International migration is one course contributing to the shortage of health workers in developing countries. Other causes include chronic under-investment and the affects of HIV and AIDS.
Tackling health worker shortages must include increased investment and strengthening of health services and its human resources. That is why, in addition to implementing ethical recruitment practices which help to address factors pulling health workers out of their communities, the UK is supporting developing country governments to build stronger health services which effectively recruit, train, deploy and retain health workers in the public sector.
Civil Service
Dr. Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many full-time equivalent employee reductions (a) were achieved in 2004–05 and (b) are expected to be achieved in 2005–06 as a result of the Gershon review in his Department; what (i) cost savings relating to IT projects and (ii) total efficiency savings (A) were achieved in 2004–05 and (B) are expected to be achieved in 2005–06 as a result of that review; and if he will make a statement. [25914]
Mr. Thomas: As a result of the Gershon review, DFID agreed to reduce the home civil service headcount to 1610 by the end of 2007–08. The programme was due to start in April 2005, at the start of which the DFID headcount was 1883. Plans are in place to reduce this to 1820 by the end of 2005–06 and 1715 by the end of 2006–07. Progress so far this year will be reported in DFID's autumn performance report 2005.
It is not possible to give an exact figure for efficiency savings from IT projects, however, forecast administration costs savings of £2 million by 2007–08 include savings from IT projects. Administration costs savings will begin in 2006–07.
Savings so far from DFID's efficiency programme will be reported in DFID's autumn performance report 2005. DFID has an efficiency target of £420 million by the end of 2007–08. The 2004 spending review did not set intermediate targets.
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External Consultants
Mr. MacShane: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much his Department paid to external consultants in each year since 1997. [25478]
Hilary Benn: DFID's expenditure on consultancy services was as follows:
| £ million | |
|---|---|
| 1997–98 | 204 |
| 1998–99 | 199 |
| 1999–2000 | 192 |
| 2000–01 | 194 |
| 2001–02 | 210 |
| 2002–03 | 222 |
| 2003–04 | 215 |
| 2004–05 | 219 |
Source:
Statistics on International Development—3 November 2005
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