Search Results

1-19 of 19 results for subject:Debts

Show detailed: On Off

Results: 10 20 50 100

Sort by: Newest first Oldest first

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what proportion of the expenditure of the Turks and Caicos Islands government was spent on health and health-related debts in the last five financial years for which records are available.

Asked by

Barry Gardiner (Labour)

Answering body

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

11 November 2014

Reference

213323

House

House of Commons

Dept for International Development

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what consideration is given to levels of HIV infection when approving a country for Heavily Indebted Poor Country debt relief.

Asked by

Barry Gardiner (Labour)

Answering body

Department for International Development

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

15 January 2004

For answer on

22 January 2004

Answered on

22 January 2004

Mr. Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what consideration is given to levels of HIV infection when approving a country for Heavily Indebted Poor Country debt relief. [149426] Hilary Benn: The amount of debt relief a country receives under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative is determined by its Debt Sustainability Analysis. A country's debt is compared with its export earnings and government revenue, and relief is provided either to bring the debt to export ratio down to 150 per cent., or the debt to government revenue ratio down to 250 per cent, whichever gives the greater amount of relief. This framework is straightforward and transparent. It also captures all of the factors that could affect a country's ability to service its debt, including levels of HIV infection, as these will affect the export and government revenue figures. Additional relief--or `topping up'--can also be provided at Completion Point, for those countries that, as a result of exogenous shocks, risk exiting the Initiative with debts above the HIPC sustainability threshold. Levels of HIV infection are also addressed directly through the development of Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSPs), which are a requirement for receiving HIPC debt relief. Governments in HIPC countries lead national processes to develop PRSPs. These strategies set out national priorities and include an estimate of the cost of reaching medium-term development targets. The planned use of HIPC debt relief, along with all other forms of assistance for addressing social problems, such as HIV/AIDS, are addressed in these strategies. For many HIPC countries, analysis of poverty trends in PRSPs shows HIV/AIDS is an important factor, and public action plans can be costed within national spending plans. In this way, savings made under the HIPC Initiative are channelled directly towards tackling this issue.

Date

22 January 2004

Reference

416 c1399W; 149426

House

House of Commons

Treasury

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what tax incentives are available to companies providing free financial education for (a) children and (b) adults; and how these fit into the Government's policy to reduce financial illiteracy.

Asked by

Barry Gardiner (Labour)

Answering body

Treasury

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

7 January 2004

Reference

145710; 416 c350W

House

House of Commons

Dept of Trade and Industry

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if she will take steps to prevent companies from using the same home visiting personnel both to sell loans and collect debts.

Asked by

Barry Gardiner (Labour)

Answering body

Department of Trade and Industry

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

17 November 2003

Reference

138598; 413 c509W;413 c510W

House

House of Commons

Dept of Trade and Industry

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if she will take steps to make loan companies publish statements on their efforts to reduce harassment of clients whom they are pursuing for overdue loans; if she will take steps to restrict the (a) days and (b) times of...

Asked by

Barry Gardiner (Labour)

Answering body

Department of Trade and Industry

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

30 October 2003

For answer on

5 November 2003

Answered on

5 November 2003

Mr. Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if she will take steps to make loan companies publish statements on their efforts to reduce harassment of clients whom they are pursuing for overdue loans; [136175] (2) if she will take steps to restrict the (a) days and (b) times of day that debt collectors can contact people they are pursuing for overdue debts; [136176] (3) if she will take steps to restrict the number of (a) letters, (b) phone calls and (c) face to face visits debt collectors can make to people they are pursuing for overdue debts; [136177] (4) what recent discussions her Department has had with consumer groups about harassment of borrowers by debt collection companies. [136178] Mr. Sutcliffe: OFT issued guidance for debt collectors on 14 July 2003 which is aimed at all consumer credit licence holders and applicants and applies to the collection of debt once an account is in default. It sets out the type of behaviour, such as harassment of debtors, that the OFT, which administers the licensing system, considers to be unfair and which could call into question fitness to hold a licence. OFT guidance states it is an unfair business practice for a debt collector to be contacting debtors at unreasonable times and ignoring or disregarding debtors' legitimate wishes. Further to consultation on the guidance OFT decided not to prescribe specific times given debtors' differing circumstances. The practice of debt collectors when recovering overdue loans has been considered in the context of my Department's review of the Consumer Credit Act. The Consumer Credit White Paper that we will publish in December will outline our proposals to regulate the conduct of lenders and unfair credit agreements.

Date

5 November 2003

Reference

412 c667-8W;412 c667W; 136175;136176;136177;136178

House

House of Commons

Dept of Trade and Industry

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what assessment she has made of the practice of selling debts by loan companies to debt collection companies.

Asked by

Barry Gardiner (Labour)

Answering body

Department of Trade and Industry

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

5 November 2003

Reference

136174; 412 c667W;412 c666-7W

House

House of Commons

Treasury

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether it is his policy that Iraq's debt should be written off. - Includes ref to 'A Vision for Iraq and the Iraqi People'.

Asked by

Barry Gardiner (Labour)

Answering body

Treasury

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

9 September 2003

For answer on

6 October 2003

Answered on

6 October 2003

Mr. Gardiner: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is his policy that Iraq's debt should be written off. [129860] Ruth Kelly: The Government's paper "A Vision for Iraq and the Iraqi People" of 17 March made it clear that we are seeking a fair and sustainable solution to Iraq's external debt problems. The Government believes the most effective way to deliver a fair and sustainable solution is by asking the International Monetary Fund (IMF), International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and other responsible international organisations, to make a full assessment of Iraq's needs, resources and obligations. We expect this to be followed by a shared solution through the Paris Club of official creditors and comparable treatment from other creditors. On 14 April the Prime Minister stated in this context that he hopes people will be generous in recognizing Iraq's needs for the future. We strongly supported the International Monetary and Finance Committee (IMFC) and Development Committee statements about the importance of addressing the debt issue. The IMF and IBRD have started making their assessments. UNSCR 1483 welcomes the readiness of creditors, including those of the Paris Club, to seek a solution to Iraq's sovereign debt problems, protects oil revenues from seizure until December 2007, and provides a transparent route for settlement of UN compensation claims. We welcomed the 10 July Paris Club statement that creditors ". . . share the view that they don't expect Iraq to be in a position to resume payments to them before end 2004." We expect this unofficial moratorium to allow sufficient time for the establishment of an internationally recognized, representative Government of Iraq, legally empowered to negotiate and agree an IMF programme and debt treatments with creditors.

Date

6 October 2003

Reference

129860; 410 c1094-5W;410 c1093-4W

House

House of Commons

Treasury

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the extent of (a) illegal property ownership and (b) illegal working patterns in developing countries; and what assessment he has made of the impact in each case on the ability of developing countries meeting their international financial...

Asked by

Barry Gardiner (Labour)

Answering body

Treasury

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

8 September 2003

For answer on

15 September 2003

Answered on

15 September 2003

Mr. Barry Gardiner: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what assessment he has made of the extent of (a) illegal property ownership and (b) illegal working patterns in developing countries; and what assessment he has made of the impact in each case on the ability of developing countries meeting their international financial obligations; [129314] (2) what assessment his Department has made of the impact (a) property rights and (b) a formalised system for establishing property ownership has on the ability of developing countries (i) to improve their economic position and (ii) to fulfil their international debt repayment obligations. [129325] John Healey: There is widespread consensus that weak property rights are a key barrier to private sector development, economic growth and poverty reduction by, for example, deterring foreign investment, discouraging people from investing in their land, and preventing them from using it as collateral for loans. Almost all of the world's poor are engaged in some form of private sector activity, with most in the informal sector. Private sector policy must therefore support the development of small, medium and micro enterprises in both the formal and informal sectors. The ability of a country to meet its international financial obligations depends on a range of factors that will support private sector development and economic growth, including sound macroeconomic policies that ensure the level of debt remains sustainable. There are many other factors that are important to securing greater investment, raising growth rates and reducing poverty including: the quality of governance, the level of corruption, crime and political instability; access to credit and finance; the quality of infrastructure; and the macroeconomic environment. The ability of a country to meet its international financial obligations also depends on sound macroeconomic policies that ensure the level of debt remains sustainable. The UK Government supports various initiatives to help developing country governments identify and create the right conditions for private investment and growth

Date

15 September 2003

Reference

410 c592W;410 c598W; 129314;129325

House

House of Commons

Treasury

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his Answer of 4th June, Official Report, column 429W, if he has made an assessment of why companies have not taken advantage of these tax incentives.

Asked by

Barry Gardiner (Labour)

Answering body

Treasury

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

25 June 2003

Reference

119208; 407 c761W;407 c765W

House

House of Commons

Treasury

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...

Asked by

Barry Gardiner (Labour)

Answering body

Treasury

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

13 June 2003

Reference

119209; 406 c1090W;406 c1092W

House

House of Commons

Treasury

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his Answer of 15th May 2003 at 405 c376-8W, on Heavily Indebted Poor Countries, whether he will make a detailed proposal for a donor-funded technical assistance facility to provide advice to HIPC countries facing litigation at the forthcoming G8 summit in...

Asked by

Barry Gardiner (Labour)

Answering body

Treasury

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

21 May 2003

For answer on

4 June 2003

Answered on

4 June 2003

Mr. Gardiner: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) pursuant to his Answer of 15 May, Official Report, column 377W, on heavily indebted poor countries, whether he will make a detailed proposal for a donor-funded technical assistance facility to provide advice to HIPC countries facing litigation at the forthcoming G8 summit in Evian; [116111] (2) if he will introduce tax incentives for creditors taking part in the HIPC initiative; [116005] (3) pursuant to his Answer of 15 May, Official Report, column 377W, on heavily indebted poor countries, what steps have been taken by (a) the IMF and (b) the World Bank since the G7 Kananaskis summit to encourage creditors to take part in the HIPC Initiative; [116109] (4) pursuant to his answer of 15 May, Official Report, column 377W, what plans he has to amend legislation governing litigation against heavily indebted poor countries; [116112] (5) pursuant to his answer of 15 May, Official Report, column 377W, on heavily indebted poor countries, what plans he has to convene a conference to discuss with creditors the value of participating in debt relief for heavily indebted poor countries; [116059] (6) pursuant to his answer of 15 May, Official Report, column 377W, on heavily indebted poor countries, what the implementation status is of each of the commitments from the G7 Kananaskis summit; [116108] (7) pursuant to his answer of 15 May, Official Report, column 377W, on heavily indebted poor countries, whether the World Bank has drawn up a timetable to investigate options for assisting with HIPC-to-HIPC debt. [116110] John Healey: The UK government has been at the forefront of the international debate on debt relief issues, and continues to press for the rapid and full implementation of the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative. In particular, the UK is seeking agreement that additional bilateral voluntary debt relief should be excluded from the calculation of topping-up at Completion Point in the HIPC initiative, and this rule change could provide a further US $1 billion in debt relief to HIPCs. The UK is also seeking to explore further options to address the issues of creditor litigation within the enhanced HIPC initiative. While the initiative does not alter the legal rights and obligations between HIPCs and their external creditors the UK believes that an adequate HIPC legal defence is still essential in reaching fair and equitable settlements with some creditors. More detail on the steps taken by the IMF and World Bank to encourage creditor participation and the status of commitments on HIPC from the G7 Kananaskis Summit, can be found in the September 2002 HIPC Status of Implementation Report and the March 2003 HIPC Initiative-- Statistical Update. Both are available from the World Bank Website www.worldbank.orq/hipc. On March 12, 2003, the Executive Board of the IMF paper discussed creditor participation issues in the HIPC initiative. The Public Information Notice issued by the IMF on April 3, 2003, for this meeting reported the discussion between Directors on the issue of HIPC- to-HIPC debt: "On HIPC-to-HIPC debt relief, Directors took note of the fact that these claims are concentrated in a few HIPC creditors, and that some creditors have already made commitments to deliver their share of debt relief under the Initiative. Directors agreed that, where resolution of such resolution of such outstanding claims is hindered by technical issues, the staff should be ready to provide technical assistance when requested by both parties, to help HIPC creditors and debtors themselves resolve these outstanding technical disputes. Many Directors welcomed the proposal of the World Bank staff to establish and administer a trust fund to channel donor assistance to finance HIPC-to-HIPC debt relief. They agreed that such a trust fund should be used in cases where HIPC creditors are unable to deliver their share of HIPC relief owing to financial constraints, in accordance with the principles and conditions set out by individual donors. Others, however, questioned the need for such a fund given the small size of HIPC-to-HIPC debt and the existence of moral hazard issues." The full text of this Public Information Notice is available from the IMF website www. imf.org/external/ news.htm. With respect to tax incentives for creditors taking part in the HIPC initiative, corporate loan creditors can already claim relief under the loan relationships regime for losses on the release of debt owed by HIPC countries. The Inland Revenue is not aware of any non-corporate loan creditors. While the UK continues to work hard to promote the HIPC initiative the Government acknowledges that debt relief is not a panacea for broader economic development problems; even the provision of 100 per cent. debt relief to all low-income countries would still fall short of the resources needed to meet the Millennium Development Goals. That is why the Chancellor has proposed an International Finance Facility (IFF) that would seek to double the amount of development aid from just over US$50 billion a year today to $100 billion per year in the years to 2015.

Date

4 June 2003

Reference

406 c429-30W; 116111;116005;116109;116112;116059;116108;116110

House

House of Commons

Treasury

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what measures have been taken by his Department to increase creditor participation in debt alleviation for heavily indebted poor countries; whether creditor participation has been added to the status of implementation reports for heavily indebted poor countries; what progress has been made by...

Asked by

Barry Gardiner (Labour)

Answering body

Treasury

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

8 May 2003

For answer on

15 May 2003

Answered on

15 May 2003

Mr. Gardiner: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what measures have been taken by his Department to increase creditor participation in debt alleviation for heavily indebted poor countries; [112917] (2) whether creditor participation has been added to the status of implementation reports for heavily indebted poor countries; [112915] (3) what progress has been made by the Government in restricting vulture funds and other debt brokers purchasing the debts of heavily indebted poor countries; [112914] (4) that plans the Government has for reform of the laws governing litigation against heavily indebted poor countries; [112918] (5) what progress has been made by G8 governments on compiling a report of creditor participation for heavily indebted poor countries; [112916] (6) if he will convene a conference to persuade creditors of the value of participating in debt relief for heavily indebted poor countries; [112920] (7) what progress has been made by the World Bank to provide reports on legal action brought against heavily indebted poor countries by creditors not participating in the HIPC initiative; [113397] (8) what progress has been made by the World Bank to provide technical assistance to heavily indebted poor countries involved in litigation with creditors not participating in the HIPC initiative; [113398] Hugh Bayley: :To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proposals the Government has made since the Kananaskis G8 summit (a) to provide more relief than envisaged at completion point for HIPCs that have debts above the thresholds as a result of commodity price shocks within the HIPC rules and (b) to press for a change in the rules to ensure that additional relief provided beyond HIPC by some bilateral donors is excluded from the calculations; what response the Government has received from other G8 members to its proposals; and if he will make a statement. [113651] John Healey: At the G7 Kananaskis summit in 2002 the UK was instrumental in securing agreement that action was necessary to increase creditor participation in the HIPC initiative. The G7 agreed to ask the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank to: include, in HIPCs' Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility reviews and Completion Point documents, more detailed information on the respective countries' success in obtaining comparable treatment; post comprehensive information on creditor participation on the Bank and Fund Web sites, including creditors' explanations for non-participation; continue to work with regional and small multilateral development institutions to encourage and facilitate their participation in the Initiative; and noting the importance of commercial creditor participation, to prepare a comprehensive report on legal action brought against HIPCs by non-participating creditors, including by commercial creditors, and on options for HIPCs to obtain technical assistance to facilitate resolution of disputes; continue to encourage bilateral creditors not to sell their claims on HIPCs in the secondary debt market; to include participation in the HIPC Initiative in reporting under Article IV as well as other Fund and Bank documents. As far as non-Paris Club official bilateral creditors are concerned, the G7 asked the IMF and World Bank to encourage creditors who are members of the two organisations to participate fully in the HIPC Initiative, particularly relatively wealthy creditors that have a significant amount of claims. In addition, the G7 urged the IMF to identify creditor countries' participation in the Initiative ahead of any debt rescheduling with the Paris Club. The G7 also agreed to ask the Chair of the Paris Club to consider inviting, on a case-by-case basis, non-member official creditors to participate in its negotiations with HIPC countries on the understanding that these creditors will join a satisfactory consensus and will abide by Paris Club principles. The September 2002 HIPC Status of Implementation Report, prepared jointly by the staffs of the Fund and the World Bank, reported via a survey of HIPC countries on pending and completed creditor litigation. It also reported more generally on the status of creditor participation. At the Spring meetings of the World Bank and the IMF the Development Committee welcomed the recent paper by the Bank and the Fund that reviewed the difficult issues of creditor participation, including HIPC-to-HIPC debt relief and creditor litigation and welcomed the decision by the Bank to explore options to assist with HIPC-to-HIPC debt. The Development Committee agreed to discuss these issues again at the next meeting, and reiterated its request to creditors that had not yet done so to participate fully in the initiative. For its part the UK in a statement to the Development Committee by the Secretary of State for International Development and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, urged the Bank and Fund to explore further the issue of a `donor funded' technical assistance facility to provide advice to HIPC countries facing litigation. The UK will pursue this issue and other outstanding HIPC issues such as the topping-up methodology at the forthcoming G8 summit in Evian and the next annual meetings of the Bank and Fund in September. The September 2002 HIPC Status of Implementation Report and the paper on creditor participation issues in the enhanced HIPC initiative are available from the World Bank webslte at www.worldbank.org/hipc.

Date

15 May 2003

Reference

405 c376-8W;405 c375-7W; 112917;112915;112914;112918;112916;112920;113397;113398

House

House of Commons

Treasury

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what progress the World Bank and the IMF have made in developing a HIPC-to-HIPC trust fund.

Asked by

Barry Gardiner (Labour)

Answering body

Treasury

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

15 May 2003

Reference

112919; 405 c378W;405 c377W

House

House of Commons

Treasury

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what progress there has been on organising an international conference on innovative mechanisms for providing debt relief, as advocated by the HIPC ministerial network.

Asked by

Barry Gardiner (Labour)

Answering body

Treasury

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

15 May 2003

Reference

112921; 405 c378-9W;405 c377W

House

House of Commons

Prime Minister

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 7 May. (Question not printed).

Asked by

Barry Gardiner (Labour)

Answering body

Prime Minister

Prime Minister's questions - Lead

Status

Answered

Date

7 May 2003

Reference

404 c688-9; 111508

House

House of Commons

Prime Minister

1st supplementary on level of outstanding debt owed to credit card companies, and need for a standardised presentation of fees and charging systems.

Asked by

Barry Gardiner (Labour)

Answering body

Prime Minister

Prime Minister's questions - 1st Supplementary

Status

Answered

Date

7 May 2003

Reference

404 c688-9

House

House of Commons

NESTLE

That this House condemns the legal proceedings currently being taken by Nestle against the Ethiopian Government to claim $6 million of compensation; notes that governments around the world are cooperating to relieve heavily indebted poor countries of debt; considers it inappropriate that multi-national companies should now seek damages from countries...

Primary sponsor

Barry Gardiner (Labour)

Type

Early day motions

Date

8 January 2003

Reference

476

House

House of Commons

Treasury

1st supplementary on expanding the criteria for countries to qualify for debt relief.

Asked by

Barry Gardiner (Labour)

Answering body

Treasury

Oral questions - 1st Supplementary

Status

Answered

Date

14 December 2000

Reference

359 c794-5

House

House of Commons

Treasury

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, What progress the Government has made, in collaboration with the international community, in cancelling the debt for heavily indebted poor countries. - Inc figures.

Asked by

Barry Gardiner (Labour)

Answering body

Treasury

Oral questions - Lead

Status

Answered

Date

14 December 2000

Reference

359 c794-5; 141837

House

House of Commons

Librarians' tools

Type

House

Session

Year

Department

Member

Primary member

Answering member

Legislative stage

Legislation

Subject

Publisher