HC Deb 05 July 2000 vol 353 c226W
25. Mr. Fabian Hamilton

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the effectiveness of micro credit schemes in reducing poverty in Zambia. [127763]

Clare Short

Studies of one of our micro-credit partners, the Christian Enterprise Trust of Zambia, show that access to micro-credit helps its clients, who come from the poorest groups, to achieve higher incomes, better household nutrition, and increased access to education and health services. Our other micro-credit projects show similar results.