HC Deb 10 March 1999 vol 327 cc351-2
4. Mr. Robert Syms (Poole)

If she will make a statement on the future of the assistance programme for Zimbabwe. [73832]

The Secretary of State for International Development (Clare Short)

We are reviewing all our bilateral programmes in order to implement our White Paper priorities. For the first time, the Government are publishing these programmes, following a period of consultation. Our country strategy paper for Zimbabwe will be published shortly. The strategy will focus on reducing poverty in Zimbabwe which, as the hon. Gentleman probably knows, is increasing desperately. Copies of the Zimbabwe paper, like all our country strategies, will be placed in the Library of the House.

Mr. Syms

Does not the Secretary of State consider Robert Mugabe's attempts to take over some of the most productive land and farms in Zimbabwe to be economically damaging and a form of political bullying, and not very new Labour either? Should we not consider shifting our aid to countries in Africa that are pursuing more sensible economic policies?

Clare Short

We have discussed the matter in the House on a number of occasions. I have always made it clear that we are extremely worried by many of the things that are taking place in Zimbabwe and many of the Government's actions. However, we do not consider it right to close down programmes that bring direct benefits to poor people in Zimbabwe because the Government's behaviour is undesirable.

We believe, as does the farmers association in Zimbabwe, that there is a strong case for land redistribution, but it must be done properly and transparently, so that poor farmers get a chance to farm and their children can go to school, and the land should not be redistributed to those who find favour with the Government. We and other donors have joined together and said that we will not support any land redistribution unless it is done properly and transparently, in a way that will bring benefits to the poor.

Mr. Tom Clarke (Coatbridge and Chryston)

Does my right hon. Friend agree that, whatever repugnance we may feel about Robert Mugabe's regime, with its unnecessary war, its human rights record and its treatment of its own people, it is none the less right for the international community to recognise humanitarian problems, such as infant mortality, child malnutrition and the need for fresh water? Does she further agree that the people of Zimbabwe should not be punished for the folly of then-own leadership?

Clare Short

I agree with my right hon. Friend, who draws attention to a constant dilemma in our development work: we want good Governments to work with, but what do we do when some of the poorest and most oppressed people of the world are living under bad Governments? We cannot turn our back on them. We have to try to find ways of bringing some relief and change in their country so that they get good government. Zimbabwe is a highly educated country with great natural resources and there is no reason why it should not be doing very well economically, so some of the recent failures of governance are a great tragedy. I refer in particular to the fact that one in four adults in Zimbabwe has HIV: the 20-year gain in life expectancy brought by development has been wiped out by the decimation brought by HIV.

Mr. John Bercow (Buckingham)

I respect the right hon. Lady's humanitarian motives and I accept the importance of trying to protect that aid which is directly related to the relief of poverty and hardship, but does she accept that it is important to identify a specific mechanism by which that anti-democratic Government can be punished, at a time when it is pursuing an irresponsible and adventurous foreign policy and when people in the capital are rioting against corruption and incompetence? Can she identify a specific mechanism to punish the President, not the people?

Clare Short

That problem arises in Zimbabwe and many other countries. The hon. Gentleman is right that, in the past, too much aid went unconditionally to Governments who were not interested in reform. Such money is simply wasted and does not benefit the poor. Therefore, in all our programmes, we want to back reforming Governments. Where there is no reforming Government we look for ways in which to bring some assistance to the neediest people, but there will be no major development in such a country. We try to use our influence in that way throughout the world. But, wherever possible, we try to encourage Governments to be reformers, not just to put ourselves in a comfortable position, but to try to achieve change that will bring benefits to the people.