Written question asked by Peter Duncan (Conservative) on Tuesday, 30 October 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 2 November 2001. It was answered by Ben Bradshaw (Labour) on Friday, 2 November 2001 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make provision for Zimbabwean farmers who have had their land removed from them, and have been forced to leave their home country, to receive compensation for their loss.

Answer: Mr. Peter Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make provision for Zimbabwean farmers who have had their land removed from them, and have been forced to leave their home country, to receive compensation for their loss. [12095] Mr. Bradshaw: The Government of Zimbabwe are responsible for land seizures in that country. They remain responsible for meeting their legal obligations in implementing land reform. In Abuja, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary reaffirmed our willingness to make a significant contribution to a fair, effective and sustainable land reform programme on the basis of the UNDP proposals of December 2000. He made it clear that our support for land reform depended on action by the Government of Zimbabwe to implement the commitments it made in Abuja. We have so far seen little evidence of such implementation. We understand that UNDP have an assessment mission in Zimbabwe at the moment looking at the prospects for a credible land reform programme. We welcome this. But in the circumstances, it is too soon to speculate on a possible UK financial contribution and the possible arrangements for payment.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 12095; 373 c909W;373 c911W
Session: 2001-02
Subjects: Compensation Land Farmers Ownership Zimbabwe UN Development Programme
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk