HC Deb 16 December 2002 vol 396 c565W
Jim Dobbin

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the amount is of the grant entitled "Improving the Health of the Poor: A Human Rights Focus", that her Department plans to make to Peru; if the grant will be used for the provision of population control and abortion; what her response is to the request from the Peruvian Health Minister that the grant should be made through the Peruvian Department of Health; and what account her Department takes of national legislation prohibiting abortion when making overseas aid grants. [87025]

Clare Short

The proposed health project in Peru "Improving the Health of the Poor: A Rights-Based Approach" is budgeted at £7.5 million, over five years. The project would support the work of the Ministry of Health, the Ombudsman's office and civil society and has a number of components, one of which relates to reproductive health.

The reproductive health component would include support for poor people's rights to access family planning services, education and, if appropriate, post abortion care but not abortion.

We have received no formal request that the entire grant be made through the Peruvian Ministry of Health.

£000
Organisation 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02
Marie Stopes International 3,103 4,235 4,945 5,132 2,554
International Planned Parenthood Federation 5,850 5,500 5,500 5,500 4,500
United Nations Population Fund 11,500 13,120 15,000 40,050 24,213

DFID has not provided financial support for British Pregnancy Advisory Service, Pregnancy Advisory Service or to Family Planning Association (UK).

Forward to