§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the value of Her Majesty's Government's contribution to development projects in the Amazonian area of Brazil; and what measures are taken to ensure that these projects do not result in the destruction of tropical rain forests.
§ Mr. Chris PattenWe have jointly funded with non-governmental agencies nine projects assisting the680W people of the Amazonian region at a cost of about £77,000 and we are providing £80,000 to the Maraca rain forest project which conducts research into forest regeneration. International organisations of which the United Kingdom is a member have supported projects in the region, but we do not have information detailing disbursements under individual loans provided through these channels. Environmental conditions have normally been attached to such loans.