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Mrs. Gwyneth Dunwoody (Crewe and Nantwich): With the permission of my hon. Friend the Member for Wythenshawe and Sale, East (Mr. Goggins), whose debate this is, may I say that the British embassy and our ambassadors have an honourable record in Colombia in supporting useful schemes? Can the Minister assure us that the embassy may have an increased fund, because its work on the ground has made a difference in the past and may do so again in future?
Mr. Lloyd: My hon. Friend has a strong interest in Colombia, and she and I have discussed the subject several times. The Government have introduced a human rights fund administered by the Foreign Office that allows us to fund directly the kind of activity so desperately needed in Colombia. We support the worthwhile projects to which my hon. Friend referred, and we shall continue to do so, partly because the exchange with NGOs gives
protection to brave people who are potential victims of the ruthless, evil people who sometimes populate Colombian politics.
The British Government take every opportunity to raise our concerns with the Colombian Government. We regularly remind them of the strength of feeling in Britain about human rights, both in general and over specific issues. I know that President Pastrana is committed to the human rights agenda, and the appointment of Vice President Bell as the Minister for Human Rights is a significant gesture. I will meet Vice President Bell on 27 April, during his visit to the UK, and I will again take the opportunity to raise the issues that concern both my hon. Friends.
The Government will continue to monitor the situation in Colombia and take a real interest in that country's development. It matters in the same way as Kosovo does--because our fellow human beings are suffering dreadfully. We have a responsibility to play our part in resolving their problems.
It being Two o'clock, the motion for the Adjournment of the House lapsed, without Question put.
Sitting suspended, pursuant to Standing Order No. 10 (Wednesday sittings), till half-past Two o'clock.
Aid Conditions (Zimbabwe)
1. Mr. Philip Hammond (Runnymede and Weybridge): If she will link good governance criteria to the provision of aid for Zimbabwe. [79103]
The Secretary of State for International Development (Clare Short): As the White Paper on international development makes clear, good government is essential to the economic and social policies that are essential for the reduction of poverty. Our country strategies apply this to all our programmes, 20 of which have been published so far. Our country strategy for Zimbabwe will be published this month.
Mr. Hammond: I thank the Secretary of State for her answer. Does she agree that Robert Mugabe's attempt to confiscate farmland is neither economically sustainable nor politically responsible? If so, what steps is she prepared to take to emphasise that view to the Government of Zimbabwe by redirecting aid from that country to other poor Commonwealth countries that have shown themselves willing and able to respect the rule of law and the right to private property?
Clare Short: The hon. Gentleman comes to this question very late. It has been an issue since the Government was formed. We made it clear within weeks of the election that there was a strong case for land redistribution in Zimbabwe--the farmers' association agrees with that--but that it must be voluntary and transparent. Zimbabwe's own law requires voluntarism. There is no question of our imposing the condition; Zimbabwe's own law says that there can be no confiscation. We have made that consistently clear, we have worked to form an international coalition to hold that position, and we have had some influence.
I share the hon. Gentleman's worries about Zimbabwe, but it would not be right to abandon, simply because its Government are behaving badly, a country in which poverty is growing. We must remain engaged and try to help those who are hurting, but we must also try to secure a commitment to better policies. I agree with the hon. Gentleman about land reform, but I do not agree that as a consequence of what is happening we should exit Zimbabwe.
Mr. Peter L. Pike (Burnley):
I recognise and accept what my right hon. Friend says. There is considerable poverty in Zimbabwe, and it has major problems. Do we not have to tackle those problems? The land issue goes back to the Lancaster House settlement 18 or 19 years ago. The problem needs settling, but progress is being made, and there is an intention to pay compensation rather than confiscating land. Must we not do all that we can to ensure that the problem is solved in a way acceptable to the landowners, so that we can then tackle the problem of poverty in Zimbabwe?
Clare Short:
I agree that poverty is growing in Zimbabwe, but if that country were well governed,
Mr. Roy Beggs (East Antrim):
I recognise the widespread good will that is shown towards debt relief for the poorest countries. Nevertheless, will the Secretary of State continue to emphasise the establishment of democratic processes and proper accountability, to ensure that the debt relief and funding made available to poorer nations are properly used?
Clare Short:
I agree that in Zimbabwe, and elsewhere, debt relief should not be given unconditionally. Otherwise, Governments who have borrowed money and wasted it, spent it on luxury projects or frittered it away corruptly would be able to write those debts off and reborrow. That would not do anyone any good. The link between debt reduction and policies that will really bring benefits for the poor is essential. It is there, but in my view it needs strengthening.
2. Mrs. Maria Fyfe (Glasgow, Maryhill):
What steps she is taking to encourage consumer interest in fair trade products. [79104]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for International Development (Mr. George Foulkes):
I, my right hon. Friend and officials in our Department take every possible opportunity to promote fair trade products and support ethical trading in mainstream business.
Mrs. Fyfe:
I thank my hon. Friend for that answer. Will he join me in congratulating both those who have persuaded their local shops to put fair trade products on their shelves and the shops that have taken part in raising the sale of such products to new heights? Does he agree that the House has helped by buying its coffee and tea as fair trade products; and that if local authorities and other bodies followed suit, it would give great practical help in dealing with poverty in the developing world while allowing us to enjoy the quality of the products?
Mr. Foulkes:
I am grateful to my hon. Friend. I hope that she will join me in congratulating our Department's Parliamentary Private Secretary, who, as Chairman of the Catering Committee, has ensured that the House has fair trade coffee and tea. The Secretary of State has also written to 500 major companies asking them to follow suit by stocking fair trade coffee in their vending machines. The House's example could be followed by others, including local authorities. I hope that hon.
Mr. Bowen Wells (Hertford and Stortford):
Talking of fair trade, will the Minister consider the report, published today, of the World Trade Organisation on fair trade for bananas? Will he call together all the parties involved so that we can negotiate fair trade for bananas from the vulnerable producing states of the Caribbean?
Mr. Foulkes:
I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman--I nearly said "my hon. Friend". Yesterday, I met representatives of the Caribbean banana exporters and came to a similar conclusion. We need a negotiated settlement acceptable to everyone. The WTO ruling suggests some ways forward, which we are examining with the other Departments involved, the Department of Trade and Industry and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. We hope that we can find an agreed way forward as quickly as possible.
3. Mr. Michael Fabricant (Lichfield):
What plans she has to provide bilateral aid to Cuba; and if she will make a statement. [79105]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for International Development (Mr. George Foulkes):
We provide limited direct assistance to Cuba through our small grants scheme administered by the British embassy in Havana. We also contribute help to Cuba through the European Commission Humanitarian Office, and the Commonwealth Development Corporation has been operating there since 1995.
Mr. Fabricant:
The Minister knows that I am not the man to support Castro and his regime, but considerable damage was done by Hurricanes Mitch and George to Santiago de Cuba and Guantanamo provinces. Does he agree that the people of Cuba should not suffer because of their Government? Can he take further steps, as the United States is doing, to ensure that the people of Cuba get aid--especially the medical community, which is unable even to obtain drugs and textbooks because of currency problems?
Mr. Foulkes:
We are concerned to help poor people in any country, irrespective of their Government. When opportunities have arisen, we have expressed our concern about human rights in Cuba, as we have for other countries. We are providing substantial help to Cuba. In 1997, nearly £2 million was provided through the European Community programme. We are keen for the CDC to get more active in Cuba. There are ways in which we can help without necessarily having a bilateral programme. I hope that the hon. Gentleman agrees that that is a substantial contribution.
Dr. Norman A. Godman (Greenock and Inverclyde):
While I have every sympathy and respect for the Cuban people, there have been allegations of abuses of human rights. The Pope himself voiced such concerns when he
Mr. Foulkes:
That point is more a matter for my colleagues in the Foreign Office, but we, too, are concerned about human rights. The Cubans have recently become an observer in Lome with the African, Caribbean and Pacific countries. If it wishes to become a full member, it will have to take account of our representations and those of other countries on human rights.
Dr. Julian Lewis (New Forest, East):
Would it not be ironic if the Government, who are trying--however ineffectively--to bring down a former communist dictator in Serbia were to prop up a current communist dictator in Cuba through aid supplied by the Department for International Development?
Mr. Foulkes:
As I said earlier, we are concerned about poor people who are suffering, whether under Slobodan Milosevic or in any other circumstance. We are bringing help to them. The comparison made by the hon. Gentleman is, if not odious, certainly not apt.
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