HC Deb 10 February 1994 vol 237 cc457-8W
Mr. Watson

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which are the priority countries for bilateral population assistance within the United Kingdom overseas aid budget.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Tanzania and Uganda are currently designated as priority countries for bilateral population assistance within the United Kingdom overseas aid budget.

Mr. Watson

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are Her Majesty's Government's guiding principles in respect of population activities in developing countries.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

As explained in the ODA booklet "Children By Choice, Not Chance", our guiding principles in respect of population activities in developing countries areAll men and women should be able to chose when to have children. Women in particular, should be in a position to exercise this choice of their own free will, without pressure or coercion. If women are enabled to exercise this choice, fertility levels and birth rates in most countries can be expected to fall. Countries whose Governments establish a climate within which couples can exercise reproductive choice should eventually attain population growth rates that are in balance with their economic and natural resources. All men and women need information, advice and services to enable them to choose when to have children. Aid for population activities will be provided in accordance with each developing country Government's national strategies. Donor agencies should work together and co-ordinate their aid for population activities. They should, where appropriate, reinforce the leading role of international agencies such as the United Nations Fund for Population Activities, the World bank and the International Planned Parenthood Federation.

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