Written question asked by Nicholas Winterton (Conservative) on Wednesday, 28 February 2007, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 2 March 2007. It was answered by Hilary Benn (Labour) on Wednesday, 7 March 2007 on behalf of the Department for International Development.

Namibia: Overseas Aid

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what technical assistance and training has been provided to Namibia as part of the country's land reform proposals.

Answer: In 2004-05, DFID provided £98,000 to support the permanent technical team (PTT) which was set up in 2003 by the Government of Namibia, reporting to the Cabinet Committee, to produce the National Land Reform Action Plan (NLRAP), which it did in mid-2004.DFID funding was used to support three areas of the PTT's work:"1. Regional workshops to allow widespread dissemination of the NLRAP;""2. Follow-up activities, such as a study on the impact of the NLRAP on farm workers;""3. Supporting the establishment of Land Boards and the implementation of the Communal Land Act, by funding specific studies and providing capacity building and training."The EC has also allocated €34 million for Rural Development, including Land Reform, in Namibia under the 9th European Development Fund (EDF9) which covers the period 2003-07. The UK share of this is 12.7 per cent.

Secondary information