HC Deb 01 December 1998 vol 321 cc126-8W
Mrs. Gillan

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much the United Kingdom's contribution is to multilateral donor projects in Zimbabwe in(a) 1998–99 and (b) 1999–2000. [61852]

Clare Short

The total multilateral official development assistance received by Zimbabwe in 1996, the last year for which figures are available, was £61.6 million. The UK's imputed share was £6.9 million.

Mrs. Gillan

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the projects sponsored by her Department in Zimbabwe for(a) 1998–99 and (b) 1999–2000, giving their value and expected expiration date. [61851]

Clare Short

Projects where the Department for International Development's commitment is over £0.5 million are listed. Figures for expenditure in 1998–99 and 1999–2000 are not available.

Project name/sector Commitment £ million Expiry date
Parastatal Reform and Privatisation
Privatisation Agency 2.1 2000
Civil Service Reform
Judicial Training 1.6 1999
Zimbabwe Republic Police 6.5 2001
Landrovers for Zimbabwe Republic Police 8.5 2002
Women's Civil Education 1.0 2001
Capacity Building within Local Government
Rural District Council Institutional Development Project 10.6 2002
Health
Sexual Health 9.2 1999
Support to Health Policy Development and Planning Department 0.75 1999
Social Marketing of Condoms 2.0 2001
Interim Health Management Strengthening 3.0 1998
Water and Sanitation
Water Quality Analysis Laboratory 0.9 1999
Bikita Integrated Rural Water Supply and Sanitation 2.3 2000
Lupane Integrated Rural Water Supply and Sanitation 3.5 2002
Water Point Upgrading/Rehabilitation 0.9 2000
National Water Resources Strategy 0.5 1999
CARE Small Dams Rehabilitation 2.0 2001
Renewable Natural Resources
Crop Post Harvest Programme 0.75 1999
Assistance to Department of Veterinary Services 0.9 1999
Private Sector Development
Credit for the Informal Sector 1.3 2000
Takura Investments 0.5 2000
Agribusiness Entrepreneur Network and Training Development 0.5 2000
Assistance to Developing Enterprises Project Team 1.4 2000

Mrs. Gillan

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the IMF's decision to suspend aid to Zimbabwe. [61853]

Clare Short

We understand that the IMF are seeking clarification of the Government of Zimbabwe's budget commitments before the IMF Board considers release of further tranches of the Standby Arrangement.

Mrs. Gillan

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she has had with the Foreign Secretary concerning the provision of aid to Zimbabwe. [61858]

Clare Short

I have regular meetings with the Foreign Secretary on a range of issues including events in Zimbabwe.

Mrs. Gillan

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the good governance criteria the Government have for assessing Zimbabwe's eligibility for assistance from her Department. [61854]

Clare Short

Our approach to good government is set out in the White Paper 'Eliminating World Poverty', and embraces democratic accountability, the protection of human rights and the rule of law.

Mrs. Gillan

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the Zimbabwe Government's land reform programme up to 1 December 1997. [61855]

Clare Short

The Government of Zimbabwe's land reform programme began after Independence in 1980. So far, the programme has benefited some 70,000 families. An evaluation by the then ODA in 1988 showed that the resettlement had shown a good rate of return, but had little impact on the poverty in the communal areas. Poverty also exists in the new resettlement areas. The Government of Zimbabwe established a Commission of Inquiry into Appropriate Agricultural Land Tenure Systems (the 'Rukuni Commission') which in 1994 made recommendations on tenure, subdivision, administrative decentralisation, and land taxation, among other issues. These recommendations are for consideration as part of the second phase of the Government's Land Reform and Resettlement Programme. In November 1997, the Government of Zimbabwe notified 1,471 landowners of their intention compulsorily to acquire further land.

Her Majesty's Government have made it clear since May 1997 that there is a strong case for land redistribution in Zimbabwe but that we will provide support only if the programme is part of a wider poverty reduction strategy, is transparent and pro-poor and complies with Zimbabwean law on land acquisition and compensation.

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