§ 36. Mr. IllsleyTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received from(a) charities and (b) Churches on Government plans to write off debt owed by the poorest countries. [145828]
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§ Miss Melanie JohnsonCampaigns by nongovernmental organisations, faith groups and members of the public have helped to maintain the issue of debt relief at the top of the international agenda. Last year, around a third of all letters received by the Treasury related to debt relief.
Faith groups and charities participated in three special seminars in Downing street last year, where they were able to put their concerns about debt relief directly to the Chancellor, the Secretary of State for International Development, and international figures such as the head of the IMF, Horst Kohler. They will also play a key part in the upcoming Children's conference, which the UK Government will host in London in the near future.