§ Miss LestorTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what criteria will govern his decision on who will represent his Department at the world summit for social development in Copenhagen in March.
§ Mr. BaldryA final decision on attendance at the summit will be taken nearer the date.
§ Miss LestorTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will support the inclusion of a new commitment on health and education in the programme of action for the world summit on social development as proposed by the G7 at the final PrepCom in New York in January.
§ Mr. BaldryWe welcome the proposal for a new commitment on education, which may include health issues. The final text of this commitment will be negotiated during the summit.
§ Miss LestorTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department is taking to strengthen the commitment relating to debt relief in the programme of action for the world summit on social development, with particular reference to multilateral debt relief.
§ Mr. BaldryThe United Kingdom sees debt relief as an important factor in alleviating poverty and will continue to work for improved references in the documentation in line with UK policy initiatives.