§ 20. Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the impact which the availability of arms in developing countries has on the stability of those countries. [132200]
§ Clare ShortIt is well known that the proliferation of small arms has a deleterious effect on stability in developing countries and that development cannot be sustained where there is instability. We are supporting projects that address the proliferation of small arms, including the reform of police and security forces, and have been active in developing a rigorous UK policy in138W connection with the UN Conference on The Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects which will take place in 2001.