§ 8. Mr. McAllionWhat steps she is taking to promote development in the Caribbean. [29617]
§ Mr. FoulkesCaribbean countries have been making great strides in recent years. Our White Paper distinguishes between the needs of the poorest countries, which require resource transfers to develop basic services, and middle-income countries—such as those in the Caribbean—which need access to technical assistance and know-how. We have had two consultations on this matter with Caribbean high commissioners and I had a useful and positive discussion with Caribbean Governments at the recent UK-Caribbean forum in Nassau in the Bahamas.
§ Mr. McAllionCuba is the most important island in the Caribbean—[Interruption.]
§ Madam SpeakerOrder. We can hardly hear the hon. Gentleman who is on his feet. I have already asked the House to come to order and it must now do so.
§ Mr. McAllionI was saying that Cuba is the most important island in the Caribbean and I know of my hon. Friend's great interest in Cuba. Does he agree that the best way that Britain can help the embattled people of Cuba in their struggle against the illegal aggression of the United States of America is through constructive engagement by forming closer political ties and building better trading links with Cuba? To that end, will he undertake to become the first Minister to visit Cuba since the Labour Government were returned to power in 1997?
§ Mr. FoulkesI would certainly like that opportunity at some time. We already support Cuba through the Department's small projects scheme and through our contribution to the European Community's humanitarian programme. We have been encouraging the Commonwealth Development Corporation to develop an investment programme in Cuba. I have met the Cuban ambassador and visiting Ministers from Cuba and discussed with colleagues in other Departments how we can further our co-operation with Cuba.
§ Sir Peter TapsellDoes the Minister agree that, while new forms of development are urgently needed in many 358 of the English-speaking islands in the Caribbean, any benefits that that development will bring will be overshadowed if the European Union, responding to pressure from Germany, is permitted to destroy the export of their agricultural products, particularly bananas and sugar?
§ Mr. FoulkesI was hoping that the hon. Gentleman would raise the issue of bananas and I was not disappointed. I assure him that we are doing everything we can to protect the interests of the Caribbean banana producers. I pay particular tribute to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, who went to St. Lucia to see for himself the banana producers' problems. When he then went to the Agriculture Council he was able to speak with first-hand knowledge. Like other Ministers, he has been fighting hard to protect banana producers' interests.