§ Mr. KidneyTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of children's(a) participation in primary education and (b) access to health services in Cambodia. [53438]
§ Clare ShortLarge numbers of Cambodian children are poor and do not have access to good primary education and health services. The quality of state education provision is low. Net enrolment rates are 78 per cent. at primary level (74 per cent. for girls) reducing to 6 per cent. at upper secondary level (5 per cent. for girls). The primary education sector is currently receiving substantial support from a consortium of donors led by the Asian Development bank, which includes some assistance from my Department.
State health provision is poor, though improving from a very low base and with notable successes in certain areas, including in combating malaria and HIV/AIDS. Infant and under-five mortality rates are 86 and 122 per 1,000 live births. Since 1992, my Department has committed £20 million to improve access by the poor to health services and for HIV/AIDS programmes. We plan to provide further substantial support in these areas.
§ Mr. KidneyTo ask the Secretary of State for international Development what aid is being directed to Cambodia by(a) the UK and (b) the EU. [53393]
§ Clare ShortIn 2001–02 my Department provided £5.8 million and in 2002–03 we expect to spend about £7.5 million, mainly focused on rural development and health, including HIV/AIDS. We contributed £0.58 million to help organise and run the Cambodian commune elections in 2001. The latest figures available for European Union member state and European Commission development assistance for Cambodia relate to calendar year 2000, when member states (including the United Kingdom) provided £62.4 million and the European Community £18.5 million, of which the UK share was £3.5 million.