§ Mr. Laurence RobertsonTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much third world debt the UK has written off since May 1997; how much remains due to the UK; to whom this is owed; and if he will make a statement. [82957]
§ Ms HewittThe UK has been at the forefront of efforts to improve existing debt relief mechanisms since May 1997. The Chancellor has called on his international colleagues to implement faster, wider and deeper debt relief.
Since 1997, HM Government have written off or committed under existing debt relief mechanisms to write-off around £400 million of debt from developing countries.
The total developing country debt outstanding under current debt agreements is just under £9 billion.