Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the impact of EU sanctions onBurma. [171692]Mr. Gareth Thomas: The EU Common Position was strengthened last year, in response to the violent attack on and subsequent detentionof Aung San Suu Kyi and other members of the National League for Democracy (NLD). DFID considers that the effect of EU measures dohave a real impact on the military regime. They signal how seriously the EU takes the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC)breaches of international standards of behaviour and helps to provide support for the pro-democracy forces.The EU Common Position aims to apply targeted sanctions against the regime to persuade the SPDC of the need for political progress,but as far as is possible, to avoid measures which hurt the ordinary Burmese people.In keeping with the EU Common Position, DFID spent £3.4 million during 2003-04 on initiatives largely focussed on HIV/Aidsand health services for the poor and on refugees. DFID's future focus will be on these areas, as well as on food security, andquality basic education for poor people. DFID has consulted with the NLD about our approach and focus.