Written question asked by Tom Cox (Labour) on Monday, 28 February 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 8 March 2005. It was answered by Gareth Thomas (Labour) on Tuesday, 8 March 2005 on behalf of the Department for International Development.

Dept for International Development

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what discussions he has had with the Jammu Kashmir Government concerning what financial or material assistance is needed following the recent severe weather there and what assistance his Department has offered to the Jammu Kashmir Government following the recent severe weather there.

Answer: Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) what discussions he has had with the Jammu Kashmir Government concerning what financial or material assistance is needed following the recent severe weather there; [219762] (2) what assistance his Department has offered to the Jammu Kashmir Government following the recent severe weather there. [219764] Mr. Gareth Thomas: We have not received, nor do we expect to receive, a request from the Government of India (GoI) for assistance in responding to the recent severe weather in Jammu and Kashmir. All external assistance to India is co-ordinated by the GoI. The GoI has considerable experience and capacity in responding to natural disasters, and adheres to a clear policy not to request external humanitarian assistance in such circumstances.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 431 c1803W;431 c1799W; 219762;219764
Session: 2004-05
Subjects: Development aid Disaster relief India Natural disasters Weather Snow and ice Kashmir
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk