HC Deb 11 November 1998 vol 319 c356
4. Mrs. Louise Ellman (Liverpool, Riverside)

What plans she has to support the work of the Liverpool school of tropical medicine in relation to international development. [57804]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for International Development (Mr. George Foulkes)

We encourage academic institutions to support the effort to eliminate global poverty by contributing to the achievement of international development goals and targets. The Liverpool school of tropical medicine, along with other United Kingdom and world-wide bodies, is a much valued partner in those efforts.

Mrs. Ellman

The Liverpool school of tropical medicine, which is a source of great pride to Liverpool, celebrates its centenary at the end of the week. Can the Minister assure me that he will continue to explore ways of ensuring that the school is able to use its great expertise to fight disease and poverty and to contribute to the development of societies throughout the world?

Mr. Foulkes

I join my hon. Friend in congratulating the Liverpool school of tropical medicine on its centenary. Not only is it well known in Liverpool and the United Kingdom but it has a worldwide reputation as a result of its work on elephantiasis, river blindness, HIV-AIDS and, particularly, malaria. A most distinguished former lecturer of the Liverpool school of tropical medicine, Dr. David Nabarro, the head of the Department's health and population division. Sadly, he is to leave us. However, I am pleased to say that he is going to the World Health Organisation to head up the campaign to combat malaria. He will promote the name of the Liverpool school of tropical medicine far and wide.

Forward to