§ Mr. Andrew TurnerTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the implementation of the policies on Africa announced by the Prime Minister in September 2001. [91268]
§ Mr. RammellMy right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has made Africa a priority for this Government. Our aims in Africa are peace and security; ending inequality and poverty; social justice and human rights; and improved political and economic governance.
Last year at Kananaskis, the Prime Minister announced that the UK development programme for Africa will increase to 1 billion a year by 2006. Our development programme addresses the range of challenges faced by Africa and supports African governments' own efforts to achieve the internationally agreed Millennium Development Goals in Africa. For example, our work on health includes supporting the development of health systems, improving access to essential medicines and working towards eradicating polio. In education we are working with African governments to realise their aspirations of education for all.
The UK recognises that peace and security is a prerequisite for Africa's development. In April 2001, we established the Africa Conflict Prevention Pool, which brings together all relevant government ministries to identify ways to tackle violent conflict in Africa.
We continue to work with international financial institutions to ensure that the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative achieves its aim of freeing eligible African countries from unsustainable debt. In addition, the UK goes further than required under HIPC and gives 100 per cent. debt relief to countries once they qualify. For the 22 African countries that have reached 'decision point' all repayments on their debts (worth over £800 million) have ceased.
African commitment to progress is encapsulated in the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) where African governments have made commitments to improve political and economic governance, solve conflicts and to move forward development. The UK was one of the prime movers behind the formulation of the G8 Africa Action Plan launched at Kananaskis last year in support of NEPAD.
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