§ Ms DrownTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what response his Department has given to the proposal of Jubilee 2000 for a concordat on levels of debt cancellation and how funds released should be spent; and if the Government will discuss this proposal with other creditors to secure agreement for substantial debt cancellation by the end of 1999. [82003]
§ Ms HewittDepartmental officials have attended several discussions of Jubilee 2000's proposals, including a round-table seminar organised by Jubilee 2000 and a HIPC Review Consultation Meeting held by the World Bank. We shall certainly take part in any future discussions with other creditors on these proposals.
§ Ms DrownTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the progress of the Commonwealth debt initiative, set out in his Mauritius speech, indicating which countries have received debt relief and the level of that relief. [82005]
§ Ms HewittSeven countries have qualified for debt relief packages under the World Bank/IMF's Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative and three countries—Ethiopia, Guinea-Bissau and Mauritania—would be expected to qualify based on preliminary discussions. Uganda and Bolivia have received assistance at completion point, of $347 million and $448 million respectively. Assistance has been committed for Burkina60W Faso ($115 million), Guyana ($253 million), Cote d'Ivoire ($345 million), Mozambique ($1,442 million), and Mali ($128 million), and is predicted for Guinea-Bissau ($300 million), Ethiopia ($636 million) and Mauritania ($271 million).