HL Deb 18 January 1993 vol 541 cc55-6WA
Lord Kennet

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether it is the case, as reported in the Independent on Sunday of 15th November, that the World Bank and the IMF have put pressure on the Government of India to cut back on expenditure on medical care (which covers family planning) and on education (which covers female literacy, on which successful family planning depends) and whether they will now ensure that both these institutions operate only in full compatibility with Chapters 5, 6 and 24 of Agenda 21, which the Government adopted at the Rio Earth Summit.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

The World Bank and the IMF have not put pressure on the Government of India to cut back expenditure on health or education. The Government of India has decided, within its objective of reducing its budget deficit, to plan for an increase in health and education expenditure, including programmes for family planning and female literacy. The World Bank is proposing to provide a loan in support of these expanded activities in health and education in India.

We remain fully committed to Agenda 21, which should guide the activities of all agencies involved in the promotion of sustainable development.