HC Deb 02 February 1998 vol 305 cc470-1W
Mr. Faber

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she has had with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office concerning United Kingdom aid to Zimbabwe. [26954]

Clare Short

We co-ordinate closely with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the formulation of Government policy.

Mr. Faber

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she has had with her fellow EU Ministers concerning EU aid to Zimbabwe. [26953]

Clare Short

We co-ordinate closely with our European Union colleagues on a range of issues, including EU aid to Zimbabwe. We support EC's approach on land reform and balance of payments support for Zimbabwe.

Mr. Faber

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she has had with representatives of the (i) World Bank and (ii) IMF concerning(a) loans, (b) United Kingdom bilateral and (c) EU aid to Zimbabwe. [26958]

Clare Short

We co-ordinate closely with the World Bank and the IMF on a range of issues including aid to Zimbabwe.

Mr. Faber

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans she has to impose conditions on United Kingdom bilateral aid to Zimbabwe similar to those attached to the most recent EU aid package. [26959]

Clare Short

Following publication of the White Paper on International Development, we are discussing with the Government of Zimbabwe whether we can form a partnership with them to eradicate poverty. This discussion will include their approach to achieving the International Development Targets, economic management and land reform.

Mr. Faber

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the conditions attached to the EU aid programme to Zimbabwe. [26952]

Clare Short

The European Union has agreed to release the second tranche of its Structural Adjustment Support programme which was agreed in 1994, based on assurances that the Government of Zimbabwe would meet their budget deficit targets. The Government have assured the EC that the land reform programme will be implemented in a transparent manner and in accordance with the Government of Zimbabwe's administrative and financial capacity to acquire and resettle the land successfully. The EC has encouraged the Government to consult international partners to make a clear statement of how they intend to proceed with land reform.

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