HC Deb 10 March 1997 vol 292 cc18-9W
Mr. Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 4 March,Official Report, columns 541–42, what percentage of the United Kingdom's (a) development assistance and (b) national overseas development budget has been spent in each of the last five years and is planned to be spent in the forthcoming year on basic social services; and if he will make a statement. [19352]

Dr. Liam Fox

Assistance to poor people, including the provision of basic social services, is a key element in the ODA's efforts to help recipient countries in the fight against poverty. Levels of bilateral assistance in this area over the last five years are estimated as follows:

Dr. Liam Fox

In his report of 7 February, the United Nations Secretary-General stated that the pace of the planned withdrawal of UNAVEM III should take into account the situation on the ground. He will keep the Security Council informed of any developments that may affect the withdrawal schedule.

Mr. Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations Her Majesty's Government are making to UNITA in Angola to abide by the provisions of the Lusaka protocol. [19118]

Dr. Fox

My right hon. and noble Friend Baroness Chalker spoke to Dr. Savimbi during her visit to Angola in January and urged UNITA to fulfil without delay its remaining obligations under the Lusaka protocol. She continues to do so. Our ambassador in Angola takes every opportunity with senior members of UNITA to encourage full compliance. Representations also continue to be made at official level in London.

Mr. Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the estimated number of UNITA personnel in Angola outside the UN quartering areas. [19117]

Dr. Fox

On 13 December, the UN Secretary-General's special representative in Angola declared, subject to certain reservations, that all UNITA's military tasks, including the quartering of troops, had been completed. As at 5 March, 26,513 personnel were registered as absent or deserted from the quartering areas.

Mr. Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on reports that personnel of UNITA of Angola are operating in support of Government forces within Zaire.[19120]

Dr. Fox

We are aware of these reports. If they are true, we deplore such UNITA involvement. We condemn any action which exacerbates the conflict in Zaire. We are warning both UNITA and the Government of Angola that military involvement in Zaire would not be in their, or anyone else's, interests.