Examination of Witnesses (Question Number
60)
MR PATRICK
WATT, MS
BESINATI MPEPO
AND MR
MAX LAWSON
24 FEBRUARY 2010
Q60 John Battle: There are difficulties
even on climate change. We have been to two places recently where
water management and irrigation are massive issueswe have
done reports on water management here and the MDGsand yet
it could easily be seen as climate change now. So not spending
money on irrigation or demanding it comes out of the climate change
budget could be done yet, at the same time, in development terms,
it could be seen as an appropriate means of alleviating poverty.
What I am slightly worried about is that if we over-legislate
for the definition of poverty we will end up with the definition
that the UN used for the World Food Programme, so we have got
food relief only and we are back to where we were in the 1960s,
that alleviating poverty means food handouts and not real development.
I think that is the balance that we have got to get right in this
Bill.
Chairman: That is just adding to our
complexities. Your initial suggestion was to take a Clause out
of the Bill, and now we are thinking about adding a Schedule in.
Unless you have any other comments, I think that has been helpful.
I do not think we have any other questions. We have the Minister
in front of us this afternoon and this has helped us, really,
to push a few questions. We know that time is running out for
this Parliament and we will be lucky to have produced a report
much before the time Parliament is dissolved.
John Battle: However, all the parties
will be committing themselves to a Bill.
Mr Evans: All parties are committed to
a report, at least, on the draft Bill.
Chairman: All parties are responsible
for themselves! Thank you very much indeed.
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