HC Deb 26 February 2001 vol 363 cc527-8W
Mr. Benton

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when she last met the EU Commissioner for Development, and what representations she made concerning measures to ensure that aid funding is not used to support forced abortion, coercive sterilisation and compulsory population control programmes in developing countries. [150084]

Clare Short

I last met EC Development Commissioner Neilson on 8 February. European Assistance on sexual and reproductive health is governed by the European Community (EC) Council regulation number 1487/97 of 22 July 1997 onaid for population policies and programmes in the developing countries". This regulation denounces any violation of human rights in the form of compulsory abortion, compulsory sterilisation, and other forms of curbing population growth which are contrary to the principles of free and informed choice agreed at the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD). The EC submits yearly reports to the European Parliament on the implementation of the Regulation.

Mr. Benton

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what information she collects on expenditure by the European Union on family planning and population control programmes in the Third World; what steps she takes to ensure that the United Kingdom contribution to that aid does not fund forced abortion, coercive sterilisation and compulsory population control programmes; and if she will make a statement. [150083]

Clare Short

The Department for International Development monitors European Union sexual and reproductive health programmes at headquarters and at country level.

European Assistance on sexual and reproductive health is governed by the European Community (EC) Council Regulation Number: 1487/97 of 22 July 1997 on aid for population policies and programmes in the developing countries".

This regulation denounces any violation of human rights in the form of company abortion, compulsory sterilisation, and other forms of curbing population growth which are contrary to the principles of free and informed choice agreed at the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD). The EC submits yearly reports to the European Parliament on the implementation of the Regulation.