HC Deb 12 July 1994 vol 246 cc506-7W
Mr. Dalyell

To ask the Secretaryof State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what study Her Majesty's Government have been making with the European Commission of late to the expansion of waterways allowing Bolivia access to the Atlantic; and what help is being given through EC sources or directly.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

The Mercosur countries—Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay—and Bolivia are working together to design the Hidrovias project to re-condition the navigation and port facilities along a stretch of waterways between Caceres in Brazil and Nueva Palmira in Uruguay. They have approached the European Community for assistance in implementation. Following the agreement between the Hidrovia intergovernmental committee and the Inter-American Development bank, the Commission is considering a request to meet the costs of technical feasibility studies for development of ports, incluing Puerto Bush and Puerto Quijarro in Bolivia.

We have not been involved in these activities bilaterally, but will play an active role in discussions in Brussels of the proposals.

Mr. Dalyell

To ask the Secretary of State for foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in what EC programmes to transfer technology to Latin America the United Kingdom is participating.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

Latin America benefits from both DG XII's life science and technology for developing countries programme and the international scientific co-operation initiative. United Kingom laboratories, principally in universities and Govenrment centres, participate actively in both programmes. In both cases, the focus is on joint scientific research.

Mr. Dalyell

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the value of EC aid to Latin America, earmarked for the relief of poverty in cities.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

For 1994, the total value of the European Community's budget lines for "Technical and Financial Assistance" and for food aid for Latin America is 232.5 mecu, about £182 million. Technical and financial assistance in Latin American developing countries includes operations concerning the environment, women, drug abuse control, democratisation, regional co-operation and disaster prevention and reconstruction measures.

The Commission does not earmark funds to specific sectors but high priority is given to aid projects designed to alleviate urban poverty. Projects of this kind are at present under preparation for Brazil, Colombia, Peru and Guatemala. Projects for Brazil and Guatemala have recently been approved.

Mr. Dalyell

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the value of the Alpha programme, designed to update the curriculum of Latin American universities; and what is the value of the United Kingdom's contribution to the programme.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

The ALFA programme is worth 40 mecu, about £31 million, over five years, of which 32 mecu, about £25 million, will come from the European Community economic co-operation programme with Latin America. The United Kingdom contributes to this by means of its contributions to the Community budget.

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