§ Mr. BattleTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what response the Government has made to the Brazilian President's suggestion of a global arms trade levy for funding development agencies. [132743]
§ Hilary BennThe Government welcomes in principle any idea which seeks to reduce global hunger, and believes that all such proposals should be properly assessed. We are committed to finding the most effective way of mobilising the additional development resources which are needed if the Millennium Development Goals are to be met. This is why the UK has proposed an International Finance Facility.
The Government endorses the work which the IMF and World Bank are currently carrying out on development financing mechanisms. This work will include all proposals for international taxes designed to generate additional development resources. The IMF and Bank have been asked to report to the Development Committee at the 2004 Spring Meetings, and to the IMFC at the 2004 Annual Meetings.