HC Deb 08 February 2000 vol 344 cc90-1W
Dr. Tonge

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment her Department has made concerning the use of the oil revenue from the Sudanese oil fields being used for development projects. [108799]

Clare Short

Oil was first exported from Sudan in August 1999 and the Government of Sudan has a 5 per cent. stake. We have pressed for revenues to be used for development projects and for transparency in the oil account. The Government of Sudan has made public assurances that this will happen. We look to them to honour them. But the key issue for Sudan's development is the ongoing civil war. We are encouraging all sides to play a constructive part in current peace talks.