HC Deb 08 November 2000 vol 356 cc229-31W
Mr. Streeter

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps she has taken to ensure that British aid to Malawi was not used to purchase 39 Mercedes cars for Government Ministers; and if she will make a statement. [136656]

Clare Short

British aid has not been used for this purpose.

Mr. Streeter

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment her Department made of corruption in the Malawian education sector before her recent aid announcement. [136664]

Clare Short

The education programme reviewed financial management in the sector. The programme will itself be audited annually.

Mr. Streeter

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what support has been given to the Malawi Anti-Corruption Bureau. [136638]

Clare Short

We have provided £352,000 to support the Anti-Corruption Bureau. This comprises a long-term technical adviser and support for professional training. We are discussing additional support for staff, including assistance with prosecutions.

Mr. Streeter

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the level of corruption in the Malawian Government. [136663]

Clare Short

The Malawi Government inherited an ineffective and corruption ridden government mechanism from the Banda regime. It has repeatedly stated its commitment to rooting out corruption. We are working with the Government to set up systems to reduce corruption and to take action against those implicated.

Mr. Streeter

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list her Department's aid projects in Malawi. [136666]

Clare Short

My Department's aid projects in Malawi are as follows:

Impact Area 1—Decentralisation and the Role of Government

  • Trade Policy Project

Impact Area 2—Economic and Financial Management

  • Anti-Corruption Bureau
  • Gemini Survey of Small and Medium Enterprises in Malawi
  • Customs Support Programme Phase II
  • Support to National Statistical Office
  • Support for Medium Term Expenditure Framework

Impact Area 3—Human Rights

  • Radio for Development—(Ndizathuzomwe)
  • Training of Lay Magistrates
  • Clearance of Homicide Backlog
  • Rehabilitation of Prison Farms
  • Safety, Security and Access to Justice Programme
  • Reform of the Penal Code
  • Interim Police Organisational Development Project
  • Paralegal Advisory Service
  • Human Rights Small Grants Fund
  • Community Service Pilot Project
  • NGO Capacity Building
  • 'Through Rights to Needs for Marginalised Malawians'— (support for civil society)

Impact Area 4—Sustainable Rural Livelihoods

  • Farming Systems Integrated Pest Management
  • Smallholder Seed Development
  • Dedza Sustainable Livelihoods Project
  • Lesson Learning and Testing of Safety Nets
    • 231W
  • Targeted Inputs Programme
  • Central Region Infrastructure Maintenance Programme
  • Microfinance Expansion (FINCA)
  • Financial Services for the Poor
  • Training for Enterprise and Exports in Malawi
  • Economics Activities Programme
  • Concern Universal: Safe Water and Sanitation
  • SC (UK) Salima Safe Water and Sanitation
  • SC (UK) Dowa Safe Water and Sanitation

Impact Area 5—Education and Health

  • Primary Community Schools Project
  • Schools Support Systems Project
  • Support to Education Sector
  • Safe Motherhood project
  • College of Health Sciences
  • National Health Plan
  • National TB Programme
  • Sexual and Reproductive Health Programme
  • Supplementary Readers
  • Support to National AIDS Control Programme
  • Reform of Central Medical Stores
  • Demographic and Health Survey
  • Banja La Mtsogolo (Reproductive Health)
  • Expanded Programme of Immunisation
  • Essential Medical Laboratory Services

Impact Area 6—Safeguarding the Environment

  • National Forestry Action Plan
  • Mulanje Forest Conservation.