§ 1. Mr. Peter L. Pike (Burnley)What percentage of resources her Department targeted on educational projects in the last year for which figures are available. [73829]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for International Development (Mr. George Foulkes)One of the key international poverty eradication targets is to secure primary education for all children in the world by 2015. Education is therefore of crucial importance in the work of our Department. In 1997, we spent 11 per cent. of our bilateral programme on education. Our contributions to the European Community and other multilateral organisations also supported their education programmes. We will publish an education policy paper later this year.
§ Mr. PikeMy hon. Friend will recognise that basic education plays a crucial role in ending the cycle of poverty. He will also recall that a world conference in Thailand nine years ago set a target of achieving basic education for all the children of the world within 10 years. Yet 125 million children of primary school age do not currently receive any education. Does my hon. Friend think that other Governments share our belief that we should do much more to try to end the cycle of poverty and get children educated?
§ Mr. FoulkesI am grateful to my hon. Friend. He is right to say that the targets were agreed internationally at United Nations conferences, and some Governments, such as ours, have signed up to them. As we set out in our White Paper, the Government have adopted those targets within our programme and we are encouraging not just other Governments but international organisations to sign up to them in an attempt to achieve universal primary education by 2015.
§ Dr. Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park)Are the Minister and the Secretary of State aware that this week's Comic Relief campaign supports education projects in Uganda and Kenya that are delivering primary education to girls— in particular, in Uganda and to the nomadic peoples of Kenya? Will they consider joining hon. Members on College green at 3.45 pm this afternoon for the Comic Relief parliamentary red nose day photo call?
§ Mr. FoulkesSome people have suggested to me that I do not need an artificial red nose. I had the pleasure of chairing a meeting this morning at which Tony Robinson was a participant. We strongly support the work of Comic Relief. The Secretary of State and the Chancellor of the Exchequer have met organisers on several occasions, and we are grateful for the way in which they highlight the kind of work in which we are involved. Uganda is one of our biggest programmes: we have committed £67 million to education in that country. We therefore agree with everything that the hon. Lady has said.