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8 Feb 2006 : Column 1211W—continued
INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Africa
Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what funding his Department has allocated to tackling eclampsia in Africa in 2005–06. [49079]
Hilary Benn: DFID recognises that eclampsia is an important cause of maternal and neonatal death and disability. DFID provides most of its health-related assistance through non-earmarked Poverty Reduction Budgetary Support (PRBS) or ear-marked health sector support. Funds are not generally allocated against specific medical conditions, so it is not possible to specify the amount for tackling eclampsia in the current financial year.
To prevent and treat eclampsia, women need an integrated health service with facilities and staff for antenatal and obstetric care, emergency referral to specialists and surgeons when they are required, reliable equipment and access to the right drugs. DFID funding supports country governments' plans to develop and
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strengthen their health systems. The aim is to improve access to all health services, including those for ante-natal and obstetric care.
DFID is committed to a year-on-year increase in spending on maternal health. DFID's bilateral expenditure (excluding spend through general poverty reduction budget support) on programmes marked as contributing towards improving maternal health has increased by 34 per cent. over the last three years (and by 41 per cent. if reproductive health services which contribute to reducing maternal mortality are included).
To complement our country level support, DFID also channels funds though the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). In 2005–06, DFID has provided £20 million core funding and £10 million specifically for reproductive health.
Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps he is taking to strengthen property rights in Africa. [49081]
Hilary Benn: Fair and sound property rights are essential for growth, investment and poverty reduction in Africa. DFID works both to improve the business environment to boost private sector investment and create jobs and to secure the investments and livelihoods of poor people.
DFID is helping Governments and other non-Government groups with land rights and administration in countries such as Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, South Africa, Lesotho, Rwanda, Swaziland, Botswana, Angola and Mozambique. This support is to improve poor people's access to land and property and enable them to secure their rights to land and property assets.
DFID is also helping support an African Union Land Policy Conference to be held in Addis Ababa at the end of March, held with the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and the Africa Development Bank.
DFID funds various programmes across Africa that aim to strengthen court systems and thereby enhance property rights. A major new African initiative, the Investment Climate Facility for Africa (ICF), has property rights as one of its priority areas and will substantially increase the support that DFID currently provides to property rights in Africa. DFID committed $30 million to this initiative in November 2005.
Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what presentations were undertaken by the Commission for Africa in the run-up to the G8 summit; in which country each presentation took place; and what the date was of each presentation. [49224]
Hilary Benn: Following the launch of the Commission for Africa report on 11 March 2005, the Commission undertook a four month series of presentations leading up to the G8 summit at Gleneagles. This included regional events in Africa as well as G8 countries. More than 45 presentations were made in over 20 countries. Audiences included the African Union (AU) NEPAD, governments, private sector and civil society. Listed as follows is a list of key presentations made by the Commission during this period.
Canadian Council for Africa Conference, Unleashing Finance and infrastructure in Africa", Toronto, Canada, 23–25 April
New strategic inputs on European investments in development aid", Hearing at the European Parliament, Brussels, Belgium, 3 May
G8/NEPAD summit on the Implementation of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Plan (CAADP), Accra, Ghana, 5–6 May
Economic Commission for Africa, Thirty-eighth session of the Commission/Conference of African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Abuja, Nigeria, 14–15 May
Engaging Nigerians in the Commission for Africa", Nigerians in Diaspora Organisations Europe (NIDOE) Seminar, London, UK, 20 May
"Security, Development and Human Rights: Shaping the Emerging International Doctrine", Ditchley Park Conference, UK, 20–21 May
Increased Aid Flows and the Control of Corruption", Transparency International seminar, London, UK, 23 May
A masterplan for Africa—a big solution?", Kirchentag (Protestant Church Convention, Hanover, Germany, 28 May
African Medical and Research Foundation (AMREF) East African Civil Society workshop, Nairobi, Kenya, 6–7 June
Making Poverty History: Achieving effective delivery of the development agenda", Price Waterhouse International Development Conference, London, UK, 9 June
Embattled or Empowered Africa: Our Common Interest", Institut Royal des Relations Internationales/ Koninklijk Instituut voor Internationale betrekkingen (irri-kiib), Brussels, 14 June
Commission for Africa Southern Africa Regional Consultation, City of Tshwane, South Africa, 14–15 June
Meeting Global Development Challenges: Ireland's White Paper on Development Aid", Conference at Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland, 15 June
Africa-Europe Group for Interdisciplinary Studies (AEGIS), European Conference of African Studies, London, UK 30 June
Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what financial remuneration was paid by his Department to each Commissioner of the Commission for Africa; and what the (a) amount and (b) purpose was of each payment. [49225]
Hilary Benn: The Commissioners of the Commission for Africa (CfA) received no financial remuneration from DFID for their services. DFID paid expenses for travel and accommodation and the cost of administrative support when appropriate.
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