Written question asked by Angus Robertson (Scottish National Party) on Tuesday, 7 December 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 15 December 2004. It was answered by Hilary Benn (Labour) on Wednesday, 15 December 2004 on behalf of the Department for International Development.

Dept for International Development

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what discussions (a) he, (b) members of his Department and (c) UK representatives have had with (i) members and (ii) representatives of the (A) US Administration and (B) Italian government since 1998 regarding (1) food aid, (2) development and (3) debt relief to Eritrea; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions (a) he, (b) members of his Department and (c) UK representatives have had with (i) members and (ii) representatives of the (A) US Administration and (B) Italian government since 1998 regarding (1) food aid, (2) development and (3) debt relief to Eritrea; and if he will make a statement. [204156] Hilary Benn: Discussions with members of the US administration and the Italian government have been held during donor group meetings in Asmara and with EC wide groups regarding humanitarian and development assistance. There have been no separate bilateral discussions. The UK has not had any discussions over the issue of debt relief. Eritrea does not qualified as Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) under the original level of indebtedness criterion and has not come to the Paris Club for a treatment of its debts.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 204156; 428 c1138W
Session: 2004-05
Subjects: Debts Development aid Debts written off Humanitarian aid International cooperation USA Italy Food aid Eritrea
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk