Third-world Debt

HC Deb 29 March 2000 vol 347 c175W

3. Mr. Cash

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on current third-world debt. [115431]

Clare Short

Debt relief under the enhanced Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative has been agreed for the first three countries, with Mozambique, Senegal and Tanzania being assessed next. Under the new framework, countries are required to develop poverty reduction strategies to qualify for debt relief. We are concerned that progress in finalising enhanced debt relief is slower than was originally agreed.