Written question asked by Barry Gardiner (Labour) on Tuesday, 10 June 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 13 June 2003. It was answered by John Healey (Labour) on Friday, 13 June 2003 on behalf of the Treasury.

Treasury

Question: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his Answer of 4 June 2003, 406 c429-30W, what options the UK Government is exploring to address the issue of creditor litigation and improve the legal defence offered to heavily indebted countries. - Includes ref to G8 Evian Summit summary at http://www.g8.fr.Evian.

Answer: Mr. Gardiner: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to his answer of 4 June 2003, Official Report, column 429W, what options the UK Government are exploring to address the issue of creditor litigation and improve the legal defence offered to heavily indebted countries. [119209] John Healey: As stated in my answer of 4 June 2003, the UK believes that an adequate HIPC legal defence is essential in reaching fair and equitable settlements with some creditors. The UK is exploring options to address the issue of creditor litigation with other donors and the staffs of the World bank and IMF. At the recent Evian Summit, the G8 agreed to ask the IMF and World bank to intensify their efforts to secure the participation of all creditors, and to explore further options to deal with the issues of creditor litigation. The Chair's summary and further information on summit outcomes can be found at: http://www.g8.fr.Evian

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 119209; 406 c1090W;406 c1092W
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Debts Civil proceedings Developing countries Legal opinion Heavily indebted poor countries initiative Repayments
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk