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OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT
International Aid Co-operation
20. Dr. Goodson-Wickes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent consultations he has had over the setting up of an international association for non-governmental organisations in relation to the delivery of overseas aid.[6518]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Dr. Liam Fox): There have been no recent consultations over the establishment of an international association for non-governmental organisations. A number of NGO groupings already exist within the European Union and the United Nations system, as well as for British NGOs.
Dr. Goodson-Wickes: My hon. Friend will delight in the admirable work done by so many agencies around the world in places where strife causes terrible humanitarian and medical suffering. So much has been achieved that it may seem churlish to suggest that international aid agencies could deliver their aid more efficiently and with greater accountability. Will my hon. Friend again examine the merits of setting up an international aid co-operation body to ensure that aid is delivered as efficiently as possible, to reduce suffering around the world, bearing in mind that that is the view of the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Red Crescent?
Dr. Fox: We are constantly in dialogue with the NGOs. As I have said, there are a number of organisations in Europe and beyond. As independent organisations, it is for NGOs to monitor and evaluate their own performance to ensure that they remain cost-effective. It is not necessarily a matter for Governments.
Mr. Simon Hughes: Have the non-governmental organisations expressed a view on the Government's announcement, made at 2 pm today, of withdrawal from the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation? In international politics, is it not better to seek to reform institutions rather than to withdraw from them? I thought that that was the message in the Prime Minister's interview yesterday.
Dr. Fox: Naturally, in the hour and seven minutes since the announcement, I have had no representations from the
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NGOs, which, unlike the hon. Gentleman, have probably not had time to digest the information. The Government must ensure that they get value for money from any organisation they are in. If UNIDO reforms itself and is seen to offer better value for money in achieving its aims, the Government may reconsider their position. However, that is some way down the road, because we do not currently believe that it is fulfilling the criteria set out in advance.
Sir Sydney Chapman: Does my hon. Friend think that most of Britain's overseas aid can be delivered more effectively through bilateral arrangements, or does he believe that multinational organisations, such as the European Union or the United Nations, should be the main engine for getting the most help to the people who need it most? Given our record, surely bilateral aid has an important role in ensuring that the poorest people get the aid.
Dr. Fox: My hon. Friend will not be surprised that the Government believe that our bilateral aid programme is better than that of many others. That is why, in this year's public expenditure survey round, our bilateral aid budget has been protected. I can confirm to the House that we expect the planning figures for the bilateral aid programme for the next three years to be no lower than the comparable figures published last year. Indeed, we expect them to be moderately higher.
South Africa
21. Mr. Donald Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government are taking within the current financial year (a) bilaterally and (b) within the Commonwealth and the European Union to assist the development of South Africa.[6519]
Dr. Liam Fox: We expect to provide bilateral development assistance of around £20 million this year, mainly in the form of technical assistance, together with a further £15 million through the European Community. We have jointly funded projects with both the European Commission and the Commonwealth.
Mr. Anderson: Although our development assistance to South Africa is much valued and highly appreciated, does the Minister agree that, in many ways, access to European markets is even more important and that there is a yawning gulf between the profession of support for South Africa by many of our European partners and their crass protectionism in practice--for example, that of the Dutch in cut flowers, and generally in agricultural products? Will he continue to act as the advocate of South Africa in European Union circles and be ready to embarrass our partners for their failure in that respect?
Dr. Fox: The Conservative party is never afraid to be isolated in Europe on free trade or any other issue, and I am pleased to hear from the Euro-sceptic pro-free trade wing of the Labour party. It is extremely important for developing countries to have access to free markets. We believe that free trade and the encouragement of competition in a developing market are the best ways for any country to achieve long-term, sustainable prosperity.
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I agree absolutely with the hon. Gentleman that, in current negotiations with the European Union, we should be seeking not just rhetoric from our European partners, but action to back up what we sought in the first place--proper access to the European market.
Mr. Nigel Evans: Although I support aid to South Africa, we should ensure that it is not at the expense of the rest of southern Africa. Obviously, what happens in South Africa impacts on its neighbouring countries, such as Malawi, Mozambique, Botswana, Swaziland and Zimbabwe. Will my hon. Friend ensure that we consider southern Africa and not simply South Africa?
Dr. Fox: The aid to South Africa and to other southern African countries is certainly not mutually exclusive. As my hon. Friend knows from our conversations--I am aware of his interest in the subject--we give substantial bilateral aid to Africa. Indeed, three quarters of all bilateral aid goes to the poorest countries. Therefore, we are very well aware of the points that he has raised.
Central Africa (Refugees)
22. Mr. Booth: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about aid for refugees in central Africa.[6520]
Dr. Liam Fox: Since January, the UK has committed more than £7 million bilaterally to address refugees' needs in the great lakes region. It remains our aim to encourage the safe, voluntary return of refugees to their homes. We are prepared to continue to help meet urgent needs as they arise.
Mr. Booth: I thank my hon. Friend for that reply. Does he agree that the crisis in central Africa illustrates the complexity of aid and that the only way to understand the success of the Government's aid programme is to aggregate not just the money, but the help provided to charities, the debt rescheduling and the humanitarian military aid?
Dr. Fox: My hon. Friend is exactly right. There are many different facets to aid. Let me add one that he did not mention: the ability to provide adequate information in crises. As has been mentioned in the House, the problem in the great lakes region has been bedevilled by a lack of information. My hon. Friend may wish to join me in paying tribute to the Canberra, which has provided such valuable information on the refugee crisis in that part of the world.
Ms Short: Does the Minister agree that the real lesson of the tragedy in Rwanda and Zaire is the failure of the world community to take preventive action? The backing of World Bank and International Monetary Fund programmes has impoverished Rwanda and exacerbated ethnic tensions. May we have an undertaking from the Minister that, now that the cameras have moved away, long-term action will be taken to help refugees resettle, assist survivors of the genocide and bring those who are guilty of war crimes to trial? Can he explain why, in the face of all that need, the Government have cut their aid budget yet again? When the Conservatives came to power in 1979, overseas aid represented 0.52 per cent. of gross
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domestic product; it is now down to 0.24 per cent. Only 14 per cent. of that is spent on direct poverty alleviation. Is the explanation that aid follows the sale of arms, as appears to happen in Indonesia?
Dr. Fox: As I cannot debate the matter at length, I cannot correct the hon. Lady's figures one by one. She will welcome the new £10 million commitment announced by my right hon. and noble Friend the Minister for Overseas Development on 20 November which was designed to assist with resettlement and the immediate needs of refugees. That is extremely important.
If there is a lesson for the international community in Rwanda and the great lakes, it is that any settlement must originate from the region; it cannot be imposed from outside. We welcome another conference being set up with the countries concerned. The world community cannot impose a settlement in the great lakes region; it has to come from the countries and the communities involved. Historically, outside involvement in the area does not work. A settlement needs to be found locally.
23. Mr. Thurnham:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his latest assessment of the situation in Zaire in respect of overseas aid; and if he will make a statement.[6521]
Dr. Liam Fox:
The situation remains very unclear. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees reports about 250,000 refugees and displaced persons, about 75 to 100 km west of Lake Kivu, but substantial numbers of refugees remain unaccounted for.
Mr. Thurnham:
Does the Minister agree that priority should be given to reconstruction in Rwanda itself, in view of the half a million or more Rwandan refugees still in Tanzania and elsewhere?
Dr. Fox:
Yes, and we have committed a substantial amount of aid for that purpose. We have committed more than £145 million bilaterally and in support of EU actions in the great lakes region since 1993. Our aim is broadly in line with the hon. Gentleman's suggestion--in fact, I shall be visiting Tanzania in four weeks and I shall make those very points.
Mr. Jacques Arnold:
Bearing in mind the fact that good government is the criterion for much of the giving of British aid, what steps have Her Majesty's Government taken to press home the importance of good government to the Governments of Rwanda, Burundi and Zaire?
Dr. Fox:
The Government, directly and through other organisations, make the question of good governance plain. Since my hon. Friend asks, there are four aspects to that: legitimacy, accountability, competence and respect for human rights and the rule of law. I am sure that the whole House is extremely aware that all those aspects have been called into question by recent events in the great lakes. The Government--and, I am sure, every democratic politician--take every opportunity to make those points to the Governments concerned.
Mrs. Dunwoody:
The Minister will know, from his medical background, that example is better than instruction. He also knows that the people who are now
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Dr. Fox:
There is, of course, a great deal of urgency. As I have said, we have committed a further £10 million in new assistance; but we are talking about the great lakes, not about Surrey, and one of our problems is getting access to the refugees and to some of the areas involved. For example, we have only recently--on 4 December--regained access to Uvira, and we expect the United Nations team to report back to us later today. When we have that information, we will be able to act.
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