Written question asked by John MacDougall (Labour) on Monday, 8 November 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 11 November 2004. It was answered by Stephen Timms (Labour) on Thursday, 11 November 2004 on behalf of the Treasury.

Treasury

Question: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, when he last met G8 leaders to discuss progress towards reducing Third World debt. (Failed OPQ). - Inc figures.

Answer: Mr. MacDougall: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he last met G8 leaders to discuss progress towards reducing Third World Debt. [197405] Mr. Timms: At the Annual Meetings of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund in Washington, donors agreed to work together to extend the HIPC initiative for a further two years. This will enable another 10 countries to benefit from over 30 billion dollars of debt relief, freeing up resources which can be spent on health and education and the eradication of poverty. G8 Finance Ministers have been asked to report back by the end of the year on additional measures that can further help developing countries address the sustainability of their debt, including the UK's decision to provide our share of up to 100 per cent. cancellation of multilateral debt for the poorest countries.

Secondary information