HC Deb 21 February 1996 vol 272 cc157-8W
Mr. Menzies Campbell

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his policy towards and what steps he is taking to promote trade between Algeria and the United Kingdom. [16158]

Mr. David Davis

Algeria is not one of the United Kingdom's top 80 export markets—UK exports were £64 million in 1995. Therefore, it has not been the subject of a sustained promotional campaign.

The current security situation in Algeria has meant that our efforts have been modest. It is not realistic to encourage new exporters into a market which they cannot visit safely and whose potential is not easy to access. However, we are aware of the long-term promise of this market and follow developments there closely.

Mr. Campbell

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much economic aid has been provided by the United Kingdom to Algeria in each of the last five years for which information is available. [16159]

Mr. Davis

Over the last five years, the UK has provided the following bilateral aid:

  • 1990–91: £399,000
  • 1991–92: £336,000
  • 1992–93: £377,000
  • 1993–94: £192,000
  • 1994–95: £140,000

In addition, the latest figures for the estimated UK share of total multilateral disbursements of official development assistance are:

  • 1989: £2.5 million
  • 1990: £1.3 million
  • 1991: £1.8 million
  • 1992: £1.2 million
  • 1993: £5.7 million

Mr. Campbell

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on how many occasions since the general election of 1979 Ministers have(a) visited Algeria and (b) met (i) the Foreign Minister of Algeria and (ii) one of his deputies. [16160]

Mr. Davis

Although there was a visit to Algeria by the Minister for Industry and Energy, my right hon. Friend the member for Enfield, North (Mr. Eggar), a meeting with the Foreign Minister or one of his deputies was not part of the programme.

There have been no visits to Algeria by Government Ministers since 1993.

To ascertain whether there have been visits in the period 1979 to 1992 would require considerable research which would incur disproportionate cost.

Mr. Campbell

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he discussed democratic progress when he last met the Foreign Minister of Algeria. [16162]

Mr. Davis

My right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary discussed democratic progress with the Algerian Foreign Minister when they met in October 1995.

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