Debt Relief (Sudan) (Hansard, 4 February 2000)

§ Dr. Tonge
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taken to link debt relief and the resolution of conflict in Sudan. [108135]

§ Mr. Timms
To qualify for debt relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative, countries must face an unsustainable debt burden beyond traditional debt-relief mechanisms and must establish a track record of reform and sound policies through IMF- and World Bank-supported programmes.
Last year the IMF Board, with UK supporting, agreed to lift the declaration of non-cooperation with Sudan: the first step in the process for the country to get back on track in its relations with the International Financial Institutions. The IMF though stressed that economic development was not possible without peace and urged the authorities to work towards finding a solution. A further review of the country's record under the IMF Staff Managed Programme will take place later this year.

§ Dr. Tonge
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions he has had with G7 countries on Sudan's debt problem. [108147]

§ Mr. Timms
To qualify for debt relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative, countries must face an unsustainable debt burden beyond traditional debt-relief mechanisms and must establish a track record of reform and sound policies through IMF and World Bank-supported programmes.
Last year the IMF Board agreed, with UK supporting, to lift the declaration of non-cooperation with Sudan: the first step in the process for the country to get back on track in its relations with the IMF. The next stage in the process will be a further review later this year when the country's record will be assessed with a view to terminating the suspension of Sudan's voting rights.