§ Mr. Bob RussellTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans she has to mark Debt Decision Day on 23 July; and if she will make a statement. [122099]
§ Clare ShortThe Prime Minister and the Chancellor have informed the Japanese Presidency of the G7/8 that we would like to use the opportunity of the Okinawa Summit (21–23 July), and the meeting of the G7 Finance Ministers running up to the Summit, to review and encourage progress on the debt relief initiative.
The Government are committed to keeping up the momentum in the run up to, and beyond, Okinawa, and will make every effort to see that resources are released for the eradication of poverty in HIPC countries.