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Developing Countries: Water

Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what aid and assistance was provided by the Government to improve water and sanitation provisions in developing countries in each of the last five years. [168794]

Mr. Malik: A detailed breakdown of DFID support for the water sector over the last five years can be found in two reports titled “Financial Support to the Water Sector 2002-2004” and “Financial Support to the
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Water Sector 2004-2006”, prepared for DFID by WS Atkins Plc. Both are available on the DFID website:

Sudan: Armed Conflict

Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the environmental impact of the conflict in western Sudan; and what steps he has taken to ensure the long-term integration of sustainable resource management into recovery programmes. [166363]

Mr. Malik: DFID supported the “UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Post-Conflict Environmental Assessment for Sudan-2007”. This concentrates on the links between conflict and the environment, including in Western Sudan. The report highlights competition over pastoral land and water in Darfur as a driving force behind the majority of local confrontations over the last 70 years. It also indicates a very strong link between land degradation, desertification and conflict in the region.

Further to this analysis, we are also providing £2.18 million to support a new sustainable livelihoods programme in Darfur in partnership with UNEP, the UN Human Settlement Programme and the UN Resident Co-ordinator’s Office. The programme aims to protect environmental assets, support strategies that “do no harm”, and promote environmentally-friendly solutions that sustainably protect the livelihoods of ordinary Darfuris. The programme will work with and through others to prevent deforestation, promote woodless construction and improve water resource management.

Trade: Medicine

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether the Government is offering support to countries which wish to use Trade-Related Intellectual Property Rights flexibilities to produce, export or import generic medicines. [165206]

Mr. Malik: The Government support the right of developing countries to utilise TRIPS flexibilities and in particular to facilitate access to cheaper medicines. This includes the right to produce, export or import generic medicines under a compulsory licence. The Government strongly supported the EU Regulation passed in 2006 which enables European generic manufacturers to export medicines under a compulsory licence to developing countries in accordance with the amendment to TRIPS agreed by the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in 2005.

DFID has financed a number of organisations to provide support to developing countries to make better use of their TRIPS flexibilities, including compulsory licensing. These organisations include the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development (ICTSD). Activities include country level analysis of legislation and policy and technical assistance in the form of training and diagnosis.


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Work and Pensions

Benefits

Jenny Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) what estimate he has made of the number of children living in households entitled to but not claiming (a) disability living allowance and (b) council tax benefit; and if he will make a statement; [167009]

(2) what the take-up rate of (a) housing benefit, (b) council tax benefit and (c) disability living allowance among those eligible was in each year since their introduction; and if he will make a statement; [167092]

(3) what estimate he has made of the number of children living in households eligible for but not claiming housing benefit; and if he will make a statement. [167095]

Mr. Plaskitt: Estimates of the number of children living in households entitled to but not claiming benefit are not available.

Estimates of the take-up rates and number of families not claiming the main income-related benefits—income support, pension credit, housing benefit, council tax benefit and income-based jobseeker's allowance—are available in the DWP publication series entitled ‘Income Related Benefits Estimates of Take-Up in 2005-06’. The latest edition includes estimates of take-up in each year since 1997-98. Copies of the latest publication, plus past reports, can be found in the Library.

Estimates of the take-up rate of disability living allowance are not available.

Mrs. Humble: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) what the take-up rates of (a) housing benefit, (b) council tax benefit and (c) disability living allowance were in 2006-07; [167521]

(2) what estimate he has made of the number of children living in households entitled to but not claiming (a) housing benefit, (b) council tax benefit and (c) disability living allowance. [167522]

Mr. Plaskitt: Estimates of take-up in 2006-07 are not available.

The latest estimates relate to 2005-06. These estimates cover the take-up of the main income-related benefits only—income support, pension credit, housing benefit, council tax benefit and income-based jobseeker's allowance—and are available in the DWP publication entitled ‘Income Related Benefits Estimates of Take-Up in 2005-06’. Copies of the latest publication, plus past reports, can be found in the Library.

Estimates of the take-up rate of disability living allowance are not available.

Estimates of the number of children living in households entitled to but not claiming benefit are not available.

Carers’ Allowances

Mr. Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many employed people qualify for the carer's allowance. [162622]


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Mrs. McGuire: At May 2007, 48,970 carer’s allowance claimants were in employment.

Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he expects the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission will be fully operational; and if he will make a statement. [167812]

Mr. Plaskitt: Subject to parliamentary approval, the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission will become operational in 2008.

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