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2005-06 (1,533)
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To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the average (a) unsecured debt per person and (b) annual income was in each year since 1997.
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the average (a) unsecured debt per person and (b) annual income was in each year since 1997.
Asked by
Baroness Teather
(Liberal Democrat)
Answered by
John Healey
(Labour)
Answering body
Treasury
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
6 November 2006
For answer on
8 November 2006
Answered on
8 November 2006
The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 7 November 2006:"As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions on what the average unsecured debt per person and average annual income was in each year since 1997. (100365)""The available information is shown in the table below."
"We have calculated average unsecured debt as debt per head and average annual income as household disposable income per head. The population figure used to derive this is the population aged 16+ in the United Kingdom. These estimates are expressed in nominal terms that are not adjusted for the effects of general price inflation.""The estimates for total personal debt, secured personal debt and unsecured debt (households' total financial liabilities other than secured debt), are national accounts series for the combined household and non-profit institutions serving households (NPISH) sectors. Estimates for households alone are not available.""NPISHs are legal entities which are principally engaged in the production of non-market services for households and whose main resources are voluntary contributions by households. For example, charities; relief and aid organisations; educational establishments; trade unions; professional associations, political parties and religious organisations, and sports clubs and associations.""Further data are available from table A64 in United Kingdom Economic Accounts, which is available at the following address:""http://www.statistics.gov.uk/StatBase/Product.asp?vlnk=1904&Pos=&ColRank=l&Rank=422"
| Unsecured personal debt¹ (end year) (£ million) | Average unsecured personal debt² (end year) (£) | Average household disposable income³ (£) | |
| 1997 | 88,412 | 1,943 | 12,307 |
| 1998 | 97,404 | 2,133 | 12,763 |
| 1999 | 109,208 | 2,381 | 13,279 |
| 2000 | 124,323 | 2,696 | 13,955 |
| 2001 | 140,891 | 3,036 | 14,787 |
| 2002 | 157,748 | 3,378 | 15,182 |
| 2003 | 163,506 | 3,479 | 15,755 |
| 2004 | 183,390 | 3,875 | 16,180 |
| 2005 | 192,905 | 4,042 | 16,781 |
| Notes: | |||
| When using Table 64 of United Kingdom Economic Accounts (weblink given below) the database identifiers are: | |||
| ¹ Unsecured personal debt = NNRG + NNRK | |||
| ² Average unsecured personal debt = (NNRG+NNRK)/MGSL | |||
| ³ Average household disposable income = QWND/MGSL |
Subjects
Debts; Personal income
Date
8 November 2006
Reference
100365; 451 c1542-3W
House
House of Commons
What debts to the Government of the United States as a result of the First World War remain outstanding.
What debts to the Government of the United States as a result of the First World War remain outstanding.
Asked by
Lord Laird
(Crossbench)
Answered by
Lord McKenzie of Luton
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
7 November 2006
I refer the noble Lord to the Answers given to him on First World War debt due to the United States Government by the noble Lord, Lord McIntosh of Haringey, on 17 July 2002 (Hansard, col. WA159) and 30 July 2002 (Hansardcol. WA161).
Subjects
Debts; Repayments; World War I; USA; Foreign loans
Date
7 November 2006
Reference
8045; 686 c158WA
House
House of Lords
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of individuals granted debtors' petitions while being actively pursued for debts by each of his departments in each of the last five years for which information is available, broken down by department; and if he...
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of individuals granted debtors' petitions while being actively pursued for debts by each of his departments in each of the last five years for which information is available, broken down by department; and if he...
Asked by
Vincent Cable
(Liberal Democrat)
Answered by
Baroness Primarolo
(Labour)
Answering body
Treasury
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
1 November 2006
For answer on
6 November 2006
Answered on
7 November 2006
In the pursuit of debt Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) handle cases where the debtor or another creditor has already filed for bankruptcy. In such cases HMRC lodge their claim like any other creditor but do not keep a separate record of the number of individuals who are granted debtors' petitions.
Subjects
Debts
Date
7 November 2006
Reference
451 c1020-1W; 99659
House
House of Commons
Type
Select Committee reports; House of Lords papers;
Parliamentary committees
Committee
European Union Committee
Subjects
Accountability; Audit; Accountancy; Cost effectiveness; Debts; Fraud; Enforcement; European Union; EU budget; Public expenditure; Public opinion; Lewis, Ivan; Kinnock, Lord; European Court of Auditors; European Anti-Fraud Office; European Commission; Wynn, Terence; Purvis, John
Date
7 November 2006
Reference
HL 270 2005-06
House
House of Lords
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the current level of credit card debt.
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the current level of credit card debt.
Asked by
Dai Davies
(Independent (affiliation))
Answered by
Ian McCartney
(Labour)
Answering body
Department of Trade and Industry
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
31 October 2006
For answer on
2 November 2006
Answered on
6 November 2006
Figures from the Office of National Statistics record total consumer credit card debt at £55 billion in August 2006.
Subjects
Debts; Credit cards
Date
6 November 2006
Reference
99340; 451 c740W
House
House of Commons
Type
House of Commons papers; Select Committee oral evidence;
Parliamentary committees
Committee
Health Committee
Witnesses
British Medical Association; Department of Health; South Worcestershire Primary Care Trust; Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust; Council of Deans and Heads of UK University Faculties for Nursing and Health Professions; Worcestershire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust
Subjects
Debts; Health professions; NHS; Public expenditure; Personnel management; Public finance; Waiting lists; Stone, Mervyn; Asthana, Sheena
Date
2 November 2006
Reference
HC 1204-iv 2005-06
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what advice and support is provided to (a) students and (b) students from poorer backgrounds on managing debt (i) while at university and (ii) after graduation.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what advice and support is provided to (a) students and (b) students from poorer backgrounds on managing debt (i) while at university and (ii) after graduation.
Asked by
Ashok Kumar
(Labour)
Answered by
Bill Rammell
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Education and Skills
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
18 October 2006
For answer on
20 October 2006
Answered on
31 October 2006
Higher Education Institutions and student unions operate money advice services. Most institutions provide a range of student services for their students, and specifically for those students from poorer backgrounds who need particular help, including advice on managing their finances.Advice and support on money and debt management is also offered by a wide range of other organisations. For example, as part of the Financial Services Authority’s financial capability initiative, Roehampton university have piloted their money doctors scheme helping students to become financially competent, to confront debt and take control of their own finances; and 18 other institutions will be developing the piloted approaches. UNIAID provide tools, including a new student calculator, to develop budgeting skills and increase understanding of finance. Graduates have access to the same debt advisory services as other adults including citizens advice bureaux, the Financial Services Association and the Consumer Credit Counselling Service; the Money Advice Liaison Group; and the Money Advice Association.It is important to recognise that the student loan debt incurred while at university or college is repaid by the student only after leaving the course and when they are earning £15,000 or more; and then only at a rate of 9 per cent. on earnings above that threshold. The Government are providing more in upfront loan and grant support than ever before, particularly for low income students. Full-time eligible students are now entitled to maintenance grants of up to £2,700, with HE institutions also providing bursaries of typically £1,000. Managing debt has to be seen in that broader context.
Subjects
Debts; Students
Date
31 October 2006
Reference
451 c283-4W; 96198
House
House of Commons
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what studies he has commissioned into the implications of the rise in the level of personal debt.
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what studies he has commissioned into the implications of the rise in the level of personal debt.
Asked by
Dai Davies
(Independent (affiliation))
Answered by
John Healey
(Labour)
Answering body
Treasury
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
25 October 2006
For answer on
30 October 2006
Answered on
31 October 2006
HM Treasury continually monitors the levels of both household liabilities and assets, and the implications of these for the wider economy are examined as part of the pre-Budget report and Budget forecasting process.
Subjects
Debts
Date
31 October 2006
Reference
451 c315W;451 c315-6W; 98196
House
House of Commons
In addition to debt relief of $38 billion to 20 countries, 20 additional countries may qualify for relief of up to $50 billion. As a unilateral act, the UK is offering the equivalent of our share of 100 per cent. debt relief to a total of 80 countries and we call on other countries to follow.
In addition to debt relief of $38 billion to 20 countries, 20 additional countries may qualify for relief of up to $50 billion. As a unilateral act, the UK is offering the equivalent of our share of 100 per cent. debt relief to a total of 80 countries and we call on other countries to follow.
Answered by
Gordon Brown
(Labour)
Asked by
Lynda Waltho
(Labour)
Answering body
Treasury
Type
Oral answers to questions
What his plans are for debt relief; and if he will make a statement.
Subjects
Debts; Developing countries; Debts written off
Date
26 October 2006
Reference
450 c1648
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
Critical elections are taking place this month in the Democratic Republic of Congo. As the hon. Member for Dumfries and Galloway (Mr. Brown) and I saw on a recent visit, it is the poorest country in the world and its civic society has all but collapsed. Will the Chancellor outline his plans—I am sure that he will have the support of the whole House—for helping the Democratic Republic of Congo with debt relief and generally increasing aid and help?
Critical elections are taking place this month in the Democratic Republic of Congo. As the hon. Member for Dumfries and Galloway (Mr. Brown) and I saw on a recent visit, it is the poorest country in the world and its civic society has all but collapsed. Will the Chancellor outline his plans—I am sure that he will have the support of the whole House—for helping the Democratic Republic of Congo with debt relief and generally increasing aid and help?
Asked by
Edward Leigh
(Conservative)
Answering body
Treasury
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
26 October 2006
Debt relief is possible when a country has a working Government who are capable of managing its affairs. One reason why we have had problems with debt relief has been that even when the will has been there on the part of the richest countries in the world, some countries had such a broken-down system of government and history of conflict that they were unable to manage the transition, so we need to give them extra special help to do so. I can tell the hon. Gentleman that we are prepared to give extra help. We are prepared to put in place measures that will make it possible for the republic to benefit from debt relief. Of course, our other measures to enhance educational and health expenditure in Africa will also be put in place, but that depends on the country having a stable Government who are able to manage their affairs.
Subjects
Debts; Developing countries; Debts written off
Date
26 October 2006
Reference
450 c1650
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
As the Chancellor has said, debt relief is not an end in itself, but merely a way of improving the position of the poorest people in the poorest countries. Will he therefore join me in congratulating the children of Burtonwood primary school in my constituency, who recently did a project on the exploitation of child labour and discussed it with me, showing a great deal of knowledge and fluency? Will he explain to those young people what is being done to ensure that we improve the incomes of the poorest families, so that their children are able to take advantage of the education that we hope to offer them?
As the Chancellor has said, debt relief is not an end in itself, but merely a way of improving the position of the poorest people in the poorest countries. Will he therefore join me in congratulating the children of Burtonwood primary school in my constituency, who recently did a project on the exploitation of child labour and discussed it with me, showing a great deal of knowledge and fluency? Will he explain to those young people what is being done to ensure that we improve the incomes of the poorest families, so that their children are able to take advantage of the education that we hope to offer them?
Asked by
Helen Jones
(Labour)
Answering body
Treasury
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
26 October 2006
I am grateful to my hon. Friend. Once again, links are being developed between schools in Britain and schools in Africa, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and many other of the poorest countries. I know that the Department for International Development is very willing to help expedite those links, whether they are teacher exchanges or schools just maintaining contact with schools in Africa and the rest of the world.
With reference to child labour, next year is the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the slave trade. One of the ways that we could commemorate that is by making people aware of the extent of child labour around the world and the use of children as slaves in that way. Over the next few months we should attempt to educate the public about the problem and do more to ensure that, instead of being in work during their early years, every child is given the proper chance of education. I want to see the 110 million children who are not in school given that chance of education over the next few years.
Subjects
Debts; Developing countries; Debts written off
Date
26 October 2006
Reference
450 c1650-1
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
May I ask the Chancellor about debt relief and personal indebtedness at home? Is he worried that both secured and unsecured borrowing stand at record levels? At the end of August, a total of £1.247 trillion was owed.
May I ask the Chancellor about debt relief and personal indebtedness at home? Is he worried that both secured and unsecured borrowing stand at record levels? At the end of August, a total of £1.247 trillion was owed.
Asked by
James Clappison
(Conservative)
Answering body
Treasury
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
26 October 2006
I am happy to answer a question about domestic debt relief, if that is the reading of the question. The biggest guarantee that people will not find it impossible to pay their debts will be maintaining the economic stability on which the British economy has grown over recent years. It is only when interest rates get out of hand—they rose to 15 per cent. under the previous Government—that people are unable to pay their bills. The debt advisory services for people who have personal problems are greater than ever before. When people are up against loan sharks and those who exploit their indebtedness, they need the protection of Government measures to regulate the pensions, mortgage, insurance and loans industries, so the hon. Gentleman had better look at his party’s proposals to abolish that protection.
Subjects
Debts; Developing countries; Debts written off
Date
26 October 2006
Reference
450 c1649
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
I thank my hon. Friend for the work that she, like many others, has done with churches in her constituency. We should be clear that, as a result of debt relief, Uganda has increased the number of children in education from 2 million to 6 million. In addition, Zambia has just announced the abolition of health charges, which means that health is available to all members of the population, however poor they are. As a result of aid and debt relief taken together, in one week 1 million children turned up for school and were given education free of charge in Kenya. Countries all round the world are able to spend on education, infrastructure and health as a result of what has been achieved by the write-off of debt. However, my hon. Friend is absolutely right that many poor countries are not heavily indebted poor countries. That is why we have made the unilateral gesture of saying to 30 or 40 more countries that we will be prepared to pay our share of 100 per cent. debt relief. We urge other countries to follow so that a higher share of debt relief can be paid as a result of international effort. I hope that we can persuade other countries to do exactly that as part of the international campaign that is being mounted.
I thank my hon. Friend for the work that she, like many others, has done with churches in her constituency. We should be clear that, as a result of debt relief, Uganda has increased the number of children in education from 2 million to 6 million. In addition, Zambia has just announced the abolition of health charges, which means that health is available to all members of the population, however poor they are. As a result of aid and debt relief taken together, in one week 1 million children turned up for school and were given education free of charge in Kenya. Countries all round the world are able to spend on education, infrastructure and health as a result of what has been achieved by the write-off of debt. However, my hon. Friend is absolutely right that many poor countries are not heavily indebted poor countries. That is why we have made the unilateral gesture of saying to 30 or 40 more countries that we will be prepared to pay our share of 100 per cent. debt relief. We urge other countries to follow so that a higher share of debt relief can be paid as a result of international effort. I hope that we can persuade other countries to do exactly that as part of the international campaign that is being mounted.
Answered by
Gordon Brown
(Labour)
Asked by
Lynda Waltho
(Labour)
Answering body
Treasury
Type
Oral answers to questions
I thank the Chancellor for that answer. Last Friday, I met Dudley borough churches forum to mark the start of One World week. While welcoming the work that the Government have done to tackle the problem and the international leadership of my right hon. Friend, my constituents rightly want further progress in more countries. What is he planning to do to accelerate the debt relief process and move us more quickly towards the millennium goals and justice at last for the world’s poor?
Subjects
Debts; Developing countries; Debts written off
Date
26 October 2006
Reference
450 c1648-9
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
My hon. Friend takes a big interest in this matter. As she knows, Africa has grown faster in recent years than it did previously, but there are still many people in poverty. One reason for that is that developing countries are unable to trade their products with the richest countries, which is why it is really important that the Doha trade round is resumed. I believe that it will be possible in the next few months to bring together the parties that have been unable to agree so that we can reach an agreement. Europe and America could make concessions on agricultural protectionism—I believe that it is the will of the House that that should happen—and the other major countries, which are Brazil and India, and the developing country bloc could also make the concessions necessary for agreement. We will do whatever we can in the next few weeks to get the trade round going again.
My hon. Friend takes a big interest in this matter. As she knows, Africa has grown faster in recent years than it did previously, but there are still many people in poverty. One reason for that is that developing countries are unable to trade their products with the richest countries, which is why it is really important that the Doha trade round is resumed. I believe that it will be possible in the next few months to bring together the parties that have been unable to agree so that we can reach an agreement. Europe and America could make concessions on agricultural protectionism—I believe that it is the will of the House that that should happen—and the other major countries, which are Brazil and India, and the developing country bloc could also make the concessions necessary for agreement. We will do whatever we can in the next few weeks to get the trade round going again.
Answered by
Gordon Brown
(Labour)
Asked by
Sally Keeble
(Labour)
Answering body
Treasury
Type
Oral answers to questions
Debt relief is of course extremely important to developing countries, but it must be accompanied by growth. What does the Chancellor expect must happen to get the Doha round of trade talks back on track?
Subjects
Debts; Developing countries; Debts written off
Date
26 October 2006
Reference
450 c1649-50
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
I thank the Chancellor for that answer. Last Friday, I met Dudley borough churches forum to mark the start of One World week. While welcoming the work that the Government have done to tackle the problem and the international leadership of my right hon. Friend, my constituents rightly want further progress in more countries. What is he planning to do to accelerate the debt relief process and move us more quickly towards the millennium goals and justice at last for the world’s poor?
I thank the Chancellor for that answer. Last Friday, I met Dudley borough churches forum to mark the start of One World week. While welcoming the work that the Government have done to tackle the problem and the international leadership of my right hon. Friend, my constituents rightly want further progress in more countries. What is he planning to do to accelerate the debt relief process and move us more quickly towards the millennium goals and justice at last for the world’s poor?
Asked by
Lynda Waltho
(Labour)
Answering body
Treasury
Oral questions - 1st Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
26 October 2006
I thank my hon. Friend for the work that she, like many others, has done with churches in her constituency. We should be clear that, as a result of debt relief, Uganda has increased the number of children in education from 2 million to 6 million. In addition, Zambia has just announced the abolition of health charges, which means that health is available to all members of the population, however poor they are. As a result of aid and debt relief taken together, in one week 1 million children turned up for school and were given education free of charge in Kenya. Countries all round the world are able to spend on education, infrastructure and health as a result of what has been achieved by the write-off of debt. However, my hon. Friend is absolutely right that many poor countries are not heavily indebted poor countries. That is why we have made the unilateral gesture of saying to 30 or 40 more countries that we will be prepared to pay our share of 100 per cent. debt relief. We urge other countries to follow so that a higher share of debt relief can be paid as a result of international effort. I hope that we can persuade other countries to do exactly that as part of the international campaign that is being mounted.
Subjects
Debts; Developing countries; Debts written off
Date
26 October 2006
Reference
450 c1648-9
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
I am happy to answer a question about domestic debt relief, if that is the reading of the question. The biggest guarantee that people will not find it impossible to pay their debts will be maintaining the economic stability on which the British economy has grown over recent years. It is only when interest rates get out of hand—they rose to 15 per cent. under the previous Government—that people are unable to pay their bills. The debt advisory services for people who have personal problems are greater than ever before. When people are up against loan sharks and those who exploit their indebtedness, they need the protection of Government measures to regulate the pensions, mortgage, insurance and loans industries, so the hon. Gentleman had better look at his party’s proposals to abolish that protection.
I am happy to answer a question about domestic debt relief, if that is the reading of the question. The biggest guarantee that people will not find it impossible to pay their debts will be maintaining the economic stability on which the British economy has grown over recent years. It is only when interest rates get out of hand—they rose to 15 per cent. under the previous Government—that people are unable to pay their bills. The debt advisory services for people who have personal problems are greater than ever before. When people are up against loan sharks and those who exploit their indebtedness, they need the protection of Government measures to regulate the pensions, mortgage, insurance and loans industries, so the hon. Gentleman had better look at his party’s proposals to abolish that protection.
Answered by
Gordon Brown
(Labour)
Asked by
James Clappison
(Conservative)
Answering body
Treasury
Type
Oral answers to questions
May I ask the Chancellor about debt relief and personal indebtedness at home? Is he worried that both secured and unsecured borrowing stand at record levels? At the end of August, a total of £1.247 trillion was owed.
Subjects
Debts; Developing countries; Debts written off
Date
26 October 2006
Reference
450 c1649
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
Debt relief is possible when a country has a working Government who are capable of managing its affairs. One reason why we have had problems with debt relief has been that even when the will has been there on the part of the richest countries in the world, some countries had such a broken-down system of government and history of conflict that they were unable to manage the transition, so we need to give them extra special help to do so. I can tell the hon. Gentleman that we are prepared to give extra help. We are prepared to put in place measures that will make it possible for the republic to benefit from debt relief. Of course, our other measures to enhance educational and health expenditure in Africa will also be put in place, but that depends on the country having a stable Government who are able to manage their affairs.
Debt relief is possible when a country has a working Government who are capable of managing its affairs. One reason why we have had problems with debt relief has been that even when the will has been there on the part of the richest countries in the world, some countries had such a broken-down system of government and history of conflict that they were unable to manage the transition, so we need to give them extra special help to do so. I can tell the hon. Gentleman that we are prepared to give extra help. We are prepared to put in place measures that will make it possible for the republic to benefit from debt relief. Of course, our other measures to enhance educational and health expenditure in Africa will also be put in place, but that depends on the country having a stable Government who are able to manage their affairs.
Answered by
Gordon Brown
(Labour)
Asked by
Edward Leigh
(Conservative)
Answering body
Treasury
Type
Oral answers to questions
Critical elections are taking place this month in the Democratic Republic of Congo. As the hon. Member for Dumfries and Galloway (Mr. Brown) and I saw on a recent visit, it is the poorest country in the world and its civic society has all but collapsed. Will the Chancellor outline his plans—I am sure that he will have the support of the whole House—for helping the Democratic Republic of Congo with debt relief and generally increasing aid and help?
Subjects
Debts; Developing countries; Debts written off
Date
26 October 2006
Reference
450 c1650
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
I am grateful to my hon. Friend. Once again, links are being developed between schools in Britain and schools in Africa, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and many other of the poorest countries. I know that the Department for International Development is very willing to help expedite those links, whether they are teacher exchanges or schools just maintaining contact with schools in Africa and the rest of the world.
With reference to child labour, next year is the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the slave trade. One of the ways that we could commemorate that is by making people aware of the extent of child labour around the world and the use of children as slaves in that way. Over the next few months we should attempt to educate the public about the problem and do more to ensure that, instead of being in work during their early years, every child is given the proper chance of education. I want to see the 110 million children who are not in school given that chance of education over the next few years.
I am grateful to my hon. Friend. Once again, links are being developed between schools in Britain and schools in Africa, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and many other of the poorest countries. I know that the Department for International Development is very willing to help expedite those links, whether they are teacher exchanges or schools just maintaining contact with schools in Africa and the rest of the world.
With reference to child labour, next year is the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the slave trade. One of the ways that we could commemorate that is by making people aware of the extent of child labour around the world and the use of children as slaves in that way. Over the next few months we should attempt to educate the public about the problem and do more to ensure that, instead of being in work during their early years, every child is given the proper chance of education. I want to see the 110 million children who are not in school given that chance of education over the next few years.
Answered by
Gordon Brown
(Labour)
Asked by
Helen Jones
(Labour)
Answering body
Treasury
Type
Oral answers to questions
As the Chancellor has said, debt relief is not an end in itself, but merely a way of improving the position of the poorest people in the poorest countries. Will he therefore join me in congratulating the children of Burtonwood primary school in my constituency, who recently did a project on the exploitation of child labour and discussed it with me, showing a great deal of knowledge and fluency? Will he explain to those young people what is being done to ensure that we improve the incomes of the poorest families, so that their children are able to take advantage of the education that we hope to offer them?
Subjects
Debts; Developing countries; Debts written off
Date
26 October 2006
Reference
450 c1650-1
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
Debt relief is of course extremely important to developing countries, but it must be accompanied by growth. What does the Chancellor expect must happen to get the Doha round of trade talks back on track?
Debt relief is of course extremely important to developing countries, but it must be accompanied by growth. What does the Chancellor expect must happen to get the Doha round of trade talks back on track?
Asked by
Sally Keeble
(Labour)
Answering body
Treasury
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
26 October 2006
My hon. Friend takes a big interest in this matter. As she knows, Africa has grown faster in recent years than it did previously, but there are still many people in poverty. One reason for that is that developing countries are unable to trade their products with the richest countries, which is why it is really important that the Doha trade round is resumed. I believe that it will be possible in the next few months to bring together the parties that have been unable to agree so that we can reach an agreement. Europe and America could make concessions on agricultural protectionism—I believe that it is the will of the House that that should happen—and the other major countries, which are Brazil and India, and the developing country bloc could also make the concessions necessary for agreement. We will do whatever we can in the next few weeks to get the trade round going again.
Subjects
Debts; Developing countries; Debts written off
Date
26 October 2006
Reference
450 c1649-50
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
What his plans are for debt relief; and if he will make a statement.
What his plans are for debt relief; and if he will make a statement.
Asked by
Lynda Waltho
(Labour)
Answered by
Gordon Brown
(Labour)
Answering body
Treasury
Oral questions - Lead
Status
Answered
Tabled on
23 October 2006
For answer on
26 October 2006
Answered on
26 October 2006
In addition to debt relief of $38 billion to 20 countries, 20 additional countries may qualify for relief of up to $50 billion. As a unilateral act, the UK is offering the equivalent of our share of 100 per cent. debt relief to a total of 80 countries and we call on other countries to follow.
Subjects
Debts; Developing countries; Debts written off
Date
26 October 2006
Reference
450 c1648; 97061
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons