1-3 of 3 results for subject:Opium
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- subject_t:Opium OR subject_t:"Opium poppies" OR subject_t:"Opium war" OR subject_ses:13961
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Rawlings, Baroness
Type
House
Session
Year
Department
Member
Primary member
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Rawlings, Baroness (3)
Answering member
Legislative stage
Legislation
Subject
Publisher
My Lords, I thank the Minister for that reply. Is he aware—I am sure that he is—that Afghanistan is one of the poorest countries in the world, yet it has huge reserves of the highest quality lapis lazuli, silver, copper, rubies and emeralds—examples that can be seen even today in the British crown jewels, the Taj Mahal and the Russian imperial collection? What else are Her Majesty's Government doing to encourage development of these reserves to help alleviate poverty and help the Afghanis diversify from their reliance on the poppy?
My Lords, I thank the Minister for that reply. Is he aware—I am sure that he is—that Afghanistan is one of the poorest countries in the world, yet it has huge reserves of the highest quality lapis lazuli, silver, copper, rubies and emeralds—examples that can be seen even today in the British crown jewels, the Taj Mahal and the Russian imperial collection? What else are Her Majesty's Government doing to encourage development of these reserves to help alleviate poverty and help the Afghanis diversify from their reliance on the poppy?
Asked by
Baroness Rawlings
(Conservative)
Oral questions - 1st Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
3 March 2010
My Lords, the good news is that the reliance on the poppy has been much reduced, from 13 per cent in 2007 to 4 per cent in 2009. The noble Baroness is absolutely right: Afghanistan is the second poorest country in the world. This is why we have committed £510 million over four years on a series of measures: on assistance to government, more than £300 million; to create jobs and economic growth; more than £80 million; to help stability and development, £72 million; and to produce alternatives to the poppy, some £30 million.
The noble Baroness is also correct in saying that a well regulated mining sector would have great benefits. The World Bank has identified the potential for an annual production of something over $250 million, and for 19,000 jobs. We continue to support the Afghan Government in their endeavours to diversify: that is part of our ongoing commitment.
Subjects
Development aid; Mining; Minerals; Afghanistan; Opium; Diversification; Gems
Date
3 March 2010
Reference
717 c1445
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, I thank the Minister for that reply. In a previous Question for Short Debate on alternative livelihoods, the noble Lord stated that Her Majesty's Government supported the production of wheat, which is, ""dependent on price in the market","
and that, ""we cannot guarantee that we will have such success in climatic conditions in future".—[Official Report, 23/6/09; col. GC415.]"
Does the Minister not agree that pomegranates would be a better product? I know that Her Majesty's Government do not directly support charities, but what help is he prepared to give to proven and successful organisations, such as POM354?
My Lords, I thank the Minister for that reply. In a previous Question for Short Debate on alternative livelihoods, the noble Lord stated that Her Majesty's Government supported the production of wheat, which is, ""dependent on price in the market","
and that, ""we cannot guarantee that we will have such success in climatic conditions in future".—[Official Report, 23/6/09; col. GC415.]"
Does the Minister not agree that pomegranates would be a better product? I know that Her Majesty's Government do not directly support charities, but what help is he prepared to give to proven and successful organisations, such as POM354?
Asked by
Baroness Rawlings
(Conservative)
Oral questions - 1st Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
21 January 2010
My Lords, the noble Baroness raises an important question. Diversification of crops, in terms of moving away from the production of poppies, is an essential part of improving the lot of the people of Afghanistan. In practice: wheat has been mentioned and there has been success in that area; we are looking at saffron and at the trellising of grapes, which improves their value and quality; and we are supportive of POM354. We have recommended that POM354 produces a detailed business plan which will help maximise the programme’s chances of success and will help in terms of conversations with potential donors. DfID will continue to provide advice on that plan.
Subjects
Crops; Agriculture; Development aid; Afghanistan; Opium; Diversification; Wheat; POM354; Employment; Pomegranates
Date
21 January 2010
Reference
716 c1091
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
Lords question for short debate on what steps they are taking to assist farmers in Afghanistan to move from opium poppy cultivation to a sustainable alternative livelihood.
Lords question for short debate on what steps they are taking to assist farmers in Afghanistan to move from opium poppy cultivation to a sustainable alternative livelihood.
Lead member
Baroness Rawlings
Answering member
Lord Brett
Department
Department for International Development
Type
Questions for short debate
Subjects
Access; Agriculture; Development aid; Bombs; Finance; Drugs; Infrastructure; Markets; Peacekeeping operations; Politics and government; Security; Afghanistan; Taliban; Opium; Pomegranates
Date
23 June 2009
Reference
711 c405-15GC
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords Grand Committee
House
House of Lords