§ Mr. WrayTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his assessment of the extent to which the Brazilian Government are providing the resources and manpower needed to protect the rain forests and their inhabitants.
§ Mr. MaudeThe Brazilian Government have made considerable efforts to protect the rain forest and its inhabitants. The hon. Member will be aware of the creation of IBAMA—the environmental umbrella organisation—in 1988, which has levied heavy fines on a number of enterprises convicted of polluting the rainforest. He will also be aware of the decision on 24 January to relocate gold prospectors outside the Yanomami area.
In July 1989, the then Minister for Overseas Development signed a memorandum of understanding with the Brazilian authorities, under which a number of environmental co-operation projects are being agreed. We hope thereby to contribute to a solution of these problems.