HC Deb 19 April 1993 vol 223 cc40-1W
Mr. Alton

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 1 July 1992,Official Report, columns 577–78, what sums were given to (a) the International Planned Parenthood Federation and (b) the United Nations Population Fund in 1992.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

[holding answer 16 April 1993]: The Overseas Development Administration contributed £8 million to IPPF and £9.423 million to UNFPA in 1992.

Mr. Alton

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has regarding the specific projects mounted by the Chinese Family Planning Association and funded by the International Planned Parenthood Federation; and what visits have been made by his officials to China to monitor the work of the Chinese Family Planning Association.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

[holding answer 16 April 1993]: IPPF contributes some US$1 million per annum in technical and financial support to the China FPA. These funds are used for audio-visual equipment, information/ education materials and logisitics support.

IPPF is responsible for monitoring the activities of its family planning associations in over 130 countries, including China. ODA is in regular contact with IPPF about the performance of these FPAs and receives additional information from a number of sources including our diplomatic missions overseas.

Mr. Alton

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what report he has received from the general secretary of the International Planned Parenthood Federation regarding his visit to China in February; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

[holding answer 16 April 1993]: Dr. Mahler has been invited to discuss his visit to China with ODA officials.

Mr. Alton

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of (a) the activity of the Chinese Family Planning Association in Tibet and (b) the application of coercive methods of population control in Tibet; what action his Department has taken in response; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

[holding answer 16 April 1993]: The British Government are deeply concerned about reports of human rights violations in Tibet and elsewhere in China. We are opposed to any form of coercion in population programmes. We take every opportunity to bring our concern to the attention of the Chinese authorities and will continue to do so.

We believe that the China Family Planning Association has an important role to play in monitoring the implementation of family planning programmes throughout China and resisting any systematic abuse of human rights by officials.