HL Deb 22 January 1998 vol 584 cc257-8WA
Lord Gisborough

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will bring pressure on the Government of Zimbabwe to compensate farmers adequately if their farms are being confiscated or redirect any aid to Zimbabwe to those farmers. [HL171]

Lord Whitty

We have already told the Government of Zimbabwe that we expect any acquisition of land to proceed in accordance with Zimbabwe's laws, its constitution and its international obligations. Zimbabwe's 1992 Land Acquisition Act requires the Government to pay compensation, and provides access to the courts if the amount of compensation is disputed.

El Niño

The Earl of Sandwich

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is their response to the widely forecast El Nino emergency in Southern Africa, and the projected loss of life and damage to homes and crops in the region during the coming months. [HL135]

Lord Whitty

We are closely monitoring the possible effect of El Nino and weather abnormalities in Southern Africa. The expected severe drought has yet to materialise in the region, with favourable rains occurring in most countries and surface water reserves higher than for many years. Governments in the region are well sensitised to the potential threat and have instigated contingency plans including planting drought-resistant crops, agricultural input distribution programmes and the adoption of water conservation measures. Many farmers have responded to the forecast of drought by planting early. We have helped individual governments through a variety of projects, including development of early warning systems, rural water supply programmes and the offer of administrative and logistical support for relief programmes if needed.

The Earl of Sandwich

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they intend, in the light of recommendations from the Southern African Development Community, to support preventive actions in the region in advance of any damage to agriculture as a result of the El Nino emergency. [HL136]

Lord Whitty

The Department for International Development (DFID) contributed to the cost of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) regional drought policy conference in Gaborone last November and a DFID professional adviser attended. We are supporting the SADC food security, training and advisory unit in Harare and have offered further support in the event of any emergency.