Mr. Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will make a statement on development in Vietnam.[172694]Mr. Gareth Thomas: The Government of Vietnam has made rapid progress in reducing poverty in recent years and in maintaining a highrate of economic growth. The number of people living in poverty halved from 58 per cent. in 1993 to 29 per cent. in2002 and economic growth has averaged at approximately 7 per cent. over the last 10 years. Despite this, approximately23 million people still live below the poverty line and an estimated 8.8 million live in hunger. However, health andeducation indicators are at similar levels to those normally seen in a country with a per capita income two or three times higherthan Vietnam's.This progress is a result of the Government of Vietnam's sustained commitment to development and poverty reduction. Recognisingthis, DFID has rapidly increased it's programme in Vietnam from £19 million in 2002-03 to an expected spend of up to£60 million by 2005-06. The programme supports the Government of Vietnam's own poverty reduction and growth strategy, andDFID works very closely with the Government and other donors to ensure that we achieve the maximum impact of our resources. Copiesof DFID's new Country Assistance Plan for Vietnam have been placed in the House Library.DFID also supports poverty reduction in Vietnam through our contributions to the European Commission development budget (currentlyapproximately 18 per cent. of the total budget). The EC spent 22.7 million Euros in Vietnam in 2002 (UK contribution:4.1 million Euros), and is likely to spend 101 million Euros between 2002 and 2004 (UK contribution:18.2 million Euros).