HC Deb 26 February 2003 vol 400 cc551-2W
Mr. Caton

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what action her Department is taking to support Fairtrade Fortnight. [99360]

Clare Short

My department is providing £120,000 to the Fairtrade Foundation over three years(2001–2003) in support of its efforts to target new groups through its annual Fairtrade Fortnight campaigns. These help to

Clare Short

My Department recognises the key role that water plays in poverty reduction and is committed to assisting those in the developing world to assess and manage their water resources in a more equitable and sustainable way. Currently, 1.2 billion people globally have inadequate access to safe water and the situation is likely to worsen by 2025 when nearly two-thirds of the world's population will be living in countries of significant water stress. My Department along with other members of the international community have strongly committed to improving access to drinking water and sanitation while working to strengthen the management of water resources for effective and equitable service delivery and these must now be implemented.