Reproductive Health Services (Hansard, 23 November 1994)

§ Mr. Worthington
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is European Union policy on funding reproductive and sexual health services for adolescents in developing countries.

§ Mr. Baldry
The issue of reproductive and sexual health services for adolescents is not treated as a separate policy by the European Union. Under the European Union's broader health care programme to developing countries there are projects which include the provision of improved reproductive health services to all, including adolescents.

§ Mr. Worthington
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what budget lines in which European Union directorates can be used for population, reproductive and sexual health projects in developing countries.

§ Mr. Baldry
The primary source of funding for such projects in developing countries is the EC's country aid programme for the state concerned. African, Caribbean and Pacific programmes are funded through the European development fund. Asian, Latin American and Mediterranean programmes are funded through the budget lines for the regions—Asia B7–3000, Latin America B7–3010, Mediterranean B7–4051 for individual Mediterranean countries and B7–4080 for Mediterranean regional programmes. Three smaller budget lines are also relevant: B7–5046—health programmes in the fight against AIDS in developing countries: B7–5047—maternal and child health care; B7–5050—aid for population policies and programmes in developing countries.

§ Mr. Worthington
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what follow-up initiatives are taking place within the European Union in the context of the Cairo programmes of action with non-governmental organisations and with officials of the European Union member states; and who is the point of contact in Brussels for an hon. Member wishing to take these matters further.

§ Mr. Baldry
The European Union held a co-ordination meeting of member states earlier this month to discuss action to be taken in respect of the Cairo programme of action and plans further meetings. European Union member states will be represented at the development assistance committee meeting, which is focussing on population assistance, to be held in Paris at the end of the month. The third European parliamentarians' consultation on population, reproductive health and development will be held in Brussels in May next year. If hon. Members require further information they should contact the Overseas Development Administration in the first instance.