§ Mr. FoulkesTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) how many projects involving the development of workers' co-operatives in the third world have commenced since 1988, by year;
(2) what is the total amount of money invested in the development and setting up of workers' co-operatives in the third world since 1988, by year.
§ Mrs. ChalkerComprehensive statistics on aid to workers' co-operatives are not separately maintained and cannot readily or accurately be extracted. A number of projects financed under country programmes have, during the period, included significant elements supporting workers' co-operatives, for example the rural development project in Bangladesh, the co-operatives and rural business development training project in Vanuatu and the handicraft marketing project in Zimbabwe. Other projects will have include smaller components for workers' co-operatives.
Assistance has also been provided under the joint funding scheme. The number and cost of projects approved since 1988 which were primarily concerned with workers' co-operatives were:
Number Cost (£) 1988–89 3 9,000 1989–90 6 31,000 1990–91 6 57,900 1991–92 3 10,700 In other cases, support for workers' co-operatives will have formed a smaller part of the project.
In addition to project support, an annual average of three members of workers' co-operatives have, since 1988, been given awards to attend courses at the international co-operative training centre at Loughborough.