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Written Answers
Wednesday, 19th February 1997.
Microfinance
The Viscount of Oxfuird asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether, following the recent Microcredit Summit in Washington, they will explain their policy towards microfinance as a means of poverty reduction.
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Chalker of Wallasey): Microfinance--i.e. savings as well as credit--can be a powerful tool able to benefit large numbers of poor people in a manner which is financially sustainable. Since 1990, we have provided increasing support for projects and institutions engaged in microfinance, notably through our bilateral programmes in Africa and Asia. Total commitments to date are approximately $100 million and it is a field where we anticipate continuing to deploy significant resources. But experience shows that it is important to assist microfinance institutions (MFI) over time to achieve full financial self-sustainability.
In addition to direct support for microfinance institutions, the Overseas Development Administration is involved in many other related areas. For example, we are active members of the World Bank-based Consultative Group to Assist the Poorest (CGAP); ODA chairs the working group on management information systems and reporting standards for microfinance institutions. ODA is also the major source of funds for a study by the MicroFinance Network, an association of leading MFIs, on the critical subject of the regulation and supervision of MFI, looking at recent experiences in Latin America, Asia and Africa.
We are concerned to assess the impact of microfinance. The results of a major research project on Finance Against Poverty was published last year. Currently ODA is supporting a study, in collaboration with ten leading UK NGOs, on the degree to which women are empowered through microfinance.
Palestine: Human Rights
Lord Hylton asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What information they have about the numbers and conditions of persons arrested by the Palestinian National Authority and held without charge or trial and what information they have about deaths in custody and the use of torture.
Baroness Chalker of Wallasey: Since the creation of the Palestinian Authority, some hundreds of Palestinians have been held without charge or trial. In the same period, 12 Palestinians have died in custody in circumstances which suggest that torture cannot be
ruled as a contributory factor in the cause of death. I made plain our concerns to President Arafat when we met on 23 January.Israel: Illegal Settlements
Lord Hylton asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they have protested or intend to protest to Israel concerning recent approvals for an exclusively Jewish development near the village of Jabal al-Mukater, Jerusalem, and for 132 housing units at Ras al-Amoud, East Jerusalem; and whether they will seek a concerted demarche by the European Union on these issues.
Baroness Chalker of Wallasey: The Israeli Government is well aware of the position shared by the UK and EU: settlements, including those planned at Ras al-Amoud and Jabal al-Makater, are illegal and an obstacle to peace. Ministers will continue to press their Israeli interlocutors to stop settlement expansion. I made clear our firm opposition to settlements when I met Israeli officials on 23 January.
Afghanistan: Assistance to Refugees
The Earl of Sandwich asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Following the Overseas Development Administration's most recent monitoring mission to Afghanistan, what evidence they have to support their claim that refugees have returned as a result of the British aid programme.
Baroness Chalker of Wallasey: UNHCR indicate that in 1995 77,000 Afghan refugees returned from Pakistan, assisted with repatriation packages consisting of cash and food. A further 92,000 refugees returned from Iran.
The projections for 1996 were that a further 30,000 refugees would be assisted in returning to Afghanistan from Pakistan and a further 30,000 would return from Iran with UNHCR help.
Upon return to Afghanistan, refugees have been assisted by the establishment of 400 quick impact projects funded by UNHCR in safe areas.
We are a major contributor to UNHCR and have responded to various appeals for Afghanistan. Since 1992 we have provided nearly £12 million for the work of the UNHCR in Afghanistan and a further £3.6 million to the International Red Cross. Additionally we have spent £11 million on a number of NGO projects in the same period for the benefit of Afghans generally.
It is our belief that the assistance provided contributes to the safe return of Afghans to their home country in an environment which enables them, with all the known difficulties, to re-establish their lives.
Afghanistan: Human Rights
The Earl of Sandwich asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they have any new evidence that the Taliban Government in Afghanistan are modifying or re-interpreting their new regulations to take account of internationally agreed standards of human rights for both men and women.
Baroness Chalker of Wallasey: We have heard of a few cases where local commanders have modified the rules but in general the Taliban appear still to be enforcing their restrictive regulations. We will continue to impress upon them the need to respect the principles of the UN Charter and internationally agreed human rights standards.
Bahrain: Crown Prince's Visit
Lord Avebury asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What is the purpose of the visit to Britain by the Crown Prince of Bahrain with several of his ministers; what discussions they are holding with him; and whether the visitors will be received by the Foreign Secretary or the Prime Minister.
Baroness Chalker of Wallasey: We have excellent relations with Bahrain and took the opportunity of the Crown Prince of Bahrain's recent private visit to discuss all areas of mutual concern. My right honourable friend Mr. Jeremy Hanley, Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs had a useful meeting with the Crown Prince and Foreign Minister on 11 February. The Crown Prince did not meet the Prime Minister or Foreign Secretary on this occasion.
ADAS: Sale
Lord Carter asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether the sale of ADAS has been agreed.
Lord Lucas: My right honourable friends the Secretary of State for Wales and the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food are pleased to announce that, following independent financial advice from PA Strategy Partners Ltd. we have selected the Management and Employee Buy Out (MEBO) team led by the current Chief Executive, Phillip Needham, as the preferred bidder for ADAS.
The deal which has been agreed meets all the objectives which my right honourable friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food announced on 4 November 1966 (Official Report, col. 313). The overall net present value to the taxpayer of the MEBO bid is some £23.5 million, made up of the consideration for the business, savings flowing from the pricing structure for future services for MAFF and the Welsh Office, and rents for the properties occupied by ADAS.
We expect to exchange contracts on the sale very shortly. Completion will be subject to the
requirement to inform and consult appropriate representatives of ADAS employees under the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 (as amended).Road Noise Reduction
Lord Moran asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What progress is being made with the use of whisper concrete, porous asphalt or other materials to reduce road noise.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Department of Transport (Viscount Goschen): This is an operational matter for the Highways Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive, Mr. Lawrie Haynes, to write to the noble Lord.
Letter to Lord Moran from the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Mr. Lawrie Haynes, dated 19 February 1997.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your recent question about progress being made with the use of whisper concrete, porous asphalt and other materials to reduce road noise.
Whisper concrete was included within the agency's specification in 1996 and porous asphalt in 1993. They are now available as options for the construction of trunk roads and are specified where they are technically suitable and where it is cost effective to do so. Whisper concrete has been used on a section of M18 and of the A50. Porous asphalt has been used on sections of M1, M6, M25 and M40, as well as on several all-purpose trunk roads.
Usage has been limited, particularly of porous asphalt because of drawbacks, including higher cost and lower durability. These are being addressed as part of the agency's research programme. Improvements have already been made in durability of porous asphalt, allowing it to be used on more heavily trafficked roads, although the cost is still significantly higher than for conventional materials.
Further research has been carried out into alternative road surfaces which offer reduced noise compared with conventional asphalt and concrete, while providing better value for money than porous surfaces. Work is still progressing, although two materials are already permitted as alternatives to conventional surfaces. It is expected that further materials will emerge from this programme of research.
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