§ 21. Mrs. GilroyTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on her recent visit to Tanzania to discuss development. [57822]
§ Clare ShortI had a very useful and constructive visit to Tanzania in late August. I was able to discuss a range of development issues affecting one of the poorest countries in the World and one of Britain's main development partners. In meetings with the President, ministers, politicians, officials and donor, private sector and civil society representatives I outlined Britain's policy for international development, which matches closely with Tanzania's own poverty eradication strategy. I urged progress on corruption and speedy reform of the health and education sectors to improve the quality of services. I was impressed by DFID-supported projects helping to improve family health and to improve people's livelihoods in poor rural areas. I also signed an agreement to provide £60 million budgetary support over the next two years. This includes up to £50 million in multilateral debt relief, which will be used to release Tanzania's revenues for expenditure on pro-poor areas of the budget.