HC Deb 16 February 1981 vol 999 cc16-7
50. Mr. Welsh

asked the Lord Privy Seal what special contribution Her Majesty's Government have made towards the Special United Nations Campaign to bring clean water and sanitation to poor countries.

Mr. Neil Marten

No special contribution has been made, but we shall continue to finance from the aid programme a wide range of water and sanitation projects, and to provide training and advice.

Mr. Welsh

Is the Minister aware that Britain would not have achieved the greatness that it has had it not been for Chadwick's report last century on clean water and sanitation? However, in the Third world 10 million people and more are dying each year because of lack of clean water and sanitation, and the World Health Organisation points out that more than 80 per cent. of all known diseases in those countries are due to lack of clean water and sanitation. Given those figures will not the Minister give an assurance that he will again try to get some money from the Treasury to help this very good venture in the Third world?

Mr. Marten

We have already tried, and we are currently engaged on 44 drinking water and sanitation projects in 28 countries. Development aid for current water-related projects amounts to more than £80 million.

Mr. Cormack

Bearing in mind that this is the centenary of Disraeli's death and that he attached great and real importance to sanitation, will my hon. Friend think again and do something special in this regard to commemorate that great Conservative statesman?

Mr. Marten

I think of sanitation every morning.

Mr. Pavitt

Has the Minister taken note of the voluntary efforts by the Women's Co-operative Guild and many other voluntary organisations in respect of the "Buy a bucket of water campaign"? Does not that put to shame the reactions of the Government to the North-South Brandt report, because while voluntary organisations are prepared to take action the Government seem to be lagging behind?

Mr. Marten

The Brandt report in its North-South approach is, I think, directed both to Governments and people. I commend what the hon. Gentleman said about the women's organisation.

Mr. Budgen

Will my hon. Friend remember what Peel used to say about the advantages of abolishing the corn laws? Perhaps he will comment upon the proposition that it would be better if we did not dump all this expensively produced food so as to undercut Third world producers, thus preventing them from providing their own sanitation and clean water.

Mr. Marten

I shall study the analogy contained in that remark.

Forward to