§ Sir Alastair GoodladTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance her Department is currently giving for the maintenance of order in rural areas in Zimbabwe. [17448]
§ Clare ShortDFID is supporting a programme of reforms by the Zimbabwe Republic Police to introduce community policing, including in the rural areas.
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§ Sir Alastair GoodladTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans she has to give development assistance to(a) Zambia and (b) Zimbabwe; and if she will make a statement. [17451]
§ Clare ShortWe have substantial development programmes in both countries. These are being refocused in line with the recent White Paper (Cm. 3789).
§ Sir Alastair GoodladTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions her Department has had with the Government of Zimbabwe on assistance with compensation in connection with land redistribution; and if she will make a statement. [17444]
§ Clare ShortThe issue has been discussed with the Government of Zimbabwe by British Ministers and officials. We have told the Government of Zimbabwe that we cannot support the rapid programme of land acquisition that they seem to envisage. We would be willing to support a properly prepared programme of land reform as part of a partnership to eliminate poverty.
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§ Sir Alastair GoodladTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations she has made to the Government of Zambia on(a) human rights and (b) good government; and if she will make a statement. [17445]
§ Clare ShortI raised these issues with the Government of Zambia earlier this year. Officials have pursued them frequently since.