§ 20. Mrs. Ann WintertonTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what reports she has received concerning the number of women compulsorily sterilised or forced to undergo abortions in China through population control programmes supported by her Department. [8377]
§ Clare ShortI am aware of reports of compulsory sterilisation and abolition in China. The Department for International Development does not provide aid in support of China's population programmes. It does contribute—along with all other major donors—to the United Nations Population Fund and the International Planned Parenthood Federation, both of which work in China. Both conduct their programmes on principles opposed to any form of coercion in family planning. These organisations play an important role in promoting positive change in the implementation of population programmes in China.