HC Deb 14 May 1991 vol 191 cc100-1W
Mr. Tony Banks

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what part the senior veterinary officers, funded by his Department in Botswana, have played in the development and implementation of that country's policy of veterinary cordon fencing.

Mrs. Chalker

These officers are employed by the Government of Botswana: the United Kingdom aid programme helps the Botswana Government meet part of their costs. They are engaged in a variety of duties relating to livestock production, including the provision of professional advice on issues such as cordon fencing where relevant to their duties.

Mr. Tony Banks

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what funding his Department provides in respect of the principal hydrological adviser for the southern Okavango integrated water development scheme in Botswana.

Mrs. Chalker

The salary of the principal hydrological adviser, who is an employee of the Government of Botswana, is part-funded under the aid programme at a cost of some £15,000 per annum.

Mr. Tony Banks

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if there has been an independent environmental impact assessment of the proposed southern Okavango integrated water development scheme which is receiving ODA funding.

Mrs. Chalker

A full environmental impact assessment was carried out in connection with the first phase of the project in the mid-1980s. A further investigation has recently been undertaken by Greenpeace at the invitation of the Botswana Government and its report is now being considered. The ODA was not involved in the funding of either study.