HC Deb 27 November 2000 vol 357 c385W
Mr. Simon Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what her Department's priorities are for assisting the development of political leadership in developing countries. [140112]

Clare Short

The selection of political leaders in developing countries belongs to the peoples of those countries. We provide support for the development of democratic institutions, including elections, parliaments, civil society and the media, in order to help develop systems which reflect the will of the people. We are playing a part in the development of democratic institutions in countries such as Indonesia, Nigeria, Pakistan and the Republics of the former Yugoslavia.