HC Deb 03 February 1998 vol 305 cc591-2W
Mr. Sheerman

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she has had with her G7 counterparts on the deforestation in the Brazilian rainforests. [27084]

Mr. Foulkes

As active participants in the G7 Pilot Programme to Conserve the Brazilian Rain Forest, we maintain a regular and extensive dialogue with our G7 counterparts, both at routine programme review meetings and on a continuous basis through our programme co-ordination office in Brasilia.

Mr. Sheerman

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she has had with the International Monetary Fund regarding the misuse of funds allocated to regulate the logging of the Brazilian rainforest. [27088]

Mr. Foulkes

We have had no discussions with the International Monetary Fund on this subject.

Mr. Sheerman

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she has had with the World Bank regarding the destruction of the Brazilian rainforest. [27089]

Mr. Foulkes

Discussions with the World Bank and other participating agencies are held regularly in the context of the G7 Pilot Programme to Conserve the Brazilian Rain Forest, for which the World Bank has a co-ordinating role. The most recent Pilot Programme participants' meeting took place in Manaus, Amazonia, in October 1997.

Mr. Sheerman

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will take steps to ensure that the funding that(a) the United Kingdom and (b) other EU Governments provide to Brazil to regulate the logging companies in the Amazonian rainforest is not directed to other purposes. [27095]

Mr. Foulkes

We seek to ensure that our (co-operation) programmes, both bilaterally and through the G7 Pilot Programme, assist the Brazilian Government to strengthen environmental policy and effectively implement Brazilian laws regulating logging in the Amazonian rainforest. This is done by the exercise of project management procedures which monitor progress against agreed objectives, and through partnerships with the EU and other donors. However, neither we nor, to our knowledge, other EU governments provide development funds directly for the purpose of regulating logging companies in Brazil.

Mr. Sheerman

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what new proposals she has to prevent the destruction of the Amazonian rainforest. [27085]

Mr. Foulkes

In addition to our substantial existing programme of environmental assistance to Brazil, involving commitments of some £22 million, we are currently in the process of identifying new technical assistance proposals to help provide further help in preventing destruction of the Amazonian rain forest. This assistance will be provided under the UK's bilateral co-operation programme with Brazil, and also under the G7 Pilot Programme to conserve the Brazilian Rain Forest. The recent publication of the latest deforestation figures by the Brazilian Government has emphasised the importance of effective international co-operation in this area.