§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Prime Minister what representations he made to the Japanese Government to support the Chancellor's initiative to relieve the debt of highly indebted poor countries. [25409]
§ The Prime MinisterThe Chancellor raised the issue in a meeting with Japanese Finance Ministry representatives prior to my visit to Tokyo. The subject has been also raised in a number of the other recent meetings between the British and Japanese Governments, most recently during the visit of the Secretary of State for International Development to Japan. My colleagues and I continue to press all members of the international community to support the objectives that my right hon. Friend outlined in Mauritius at the Commonwealth Finance Ministers' meeting.