HC Deb 08 July 1998 vol 315 cc533-4W
Ann Clwyd

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the projects in Indonesia supported by her Department which have been cancelled or reviewed by the Indonesian Government in the last 12 months(a) as a condition of IMF assistance to Indonesia, (b) as a result of links with the family of former President Suharto and (c) for other reasons, in each case specifying (i) the reason, (ii) the nature of the project and (iii) the expenditure incurred to date; and if she will make a statement. [49353]

Clare Short

We know of two projects, both concerned with power supply, that have been reviewed by the Government of Indonesia. They are:

  1. (a) 150/500 KV sub-stations and
  2. (b) Outer islands diesel generation.

Work on (a) has been suspended. Discussions continue on both projects. They are existing commitments supported from the Aid and Trade Provision. DFID expenditure to date on (a) has been £14.473 million while (b) has not yet commenced. The reviews are a direct response to the overall economic situation.

Ann Clwyd

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what level of aid commitment her Department plans to make at the forthcoming meeting of the Consultative Groups on Indonesia, specifying the amounts which will be provided as(a) budgetary support, (b) project aid and (c) humanitarian aid; and to what extent the commitment will be dependent on political reforms in Indonesia and East Timor. [49334]

Clare Short

Discussions are continuing in the run-up to the Consultative Group meeting on 28–30 July. To address the current crisis, urgent action is needed by the Government of Indonesia to implement economic and political reform, supported by a concerted international effort. We are already making a substantial contribution through our membership of the International Financial Institutions and in other ways. We are considering what more we might do. In particular, my Department is looking at options for providing rapid assistance through civil society organisations to particularly vulnerable groups affected by the crisis.