§ Mr. DawsonTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will take steps to cancel the debt of poor countries. [7233]
§ Clare ShortThe Government is pushing for full and rapid implementation of the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative. We believe that debt relief should accompany a wider commitment by debtors to create the conditions necessary for sustainable economic growth and lasting poverty reduction. The Government has already forgiven over £1.2 billion of old loans to many of the poorest countries. We will be prepared to consider cancelling aid loans to other low-income countries where necessary, on a case-by-case basis.