§ 20. Mr. FabricantTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on her Department's aid programmes to the people of southern Africa. [39080]
§ Clare ShortMy Department's priority in Southern Africa is to tackle poverty and meet international development targets through sustainable economic and social development, helping build and maintain efficient and accountable government, and securing fair access to international markets for Southern African trade. We plan bilateral assistance of around £40 million in the current financial year to help develop regional co-operation and to build local capacity in South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Swaziland, as well as our share of multilateral programmes.