Written question asked by Clare Short (Independent Labour) on Thursday, 25 February 2010, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 3 March 2010. It was answered by Michael John Foster (Labour) on Wednesday, 3 March 2010 on behalf of the Department for International Development.

South Africa: Natural Resources

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will propose a joint commitment by the UK and South Africa to implement the extractive industries transparency initiative.

Answer: The UK Government supports the extractive industries transparency initiative (EITI) and collaborates with the EITI Board and Secretariat to promote the adoption and implementation of the initiative by resource rich countries. The EITI Chairman, Peter Eigen, has recently written to President Zuma encouraging South African implementation. The UK Government have no plans to propose to the president of South Africa a joint commitment by the UK and South Africa to implement the initiative.

Secondary information