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Zimbabwe And Zambia

Volume 301: debated on Wednesday 24 September 1997

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To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance her Department is currently giving for the maintenance of order in rural areas in Zimbabwe. [17448]

DFID is supporting a programme of reforms by the Zimbabwe Republic Police to introduce community policing, including in the rural areas.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans she has to give development assistance to (a) Zambia and (b) Zimbabwe; and if she will make a statement. [17451]

We have substantial development programmes in both countries. These are being refocused in line with the recent White Paper (Cm. 3789).

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions her Department has had with the Government of Zimbabwe on assistance with compensation in connection with land redistribution; and if she will make a statement. [17444]

The issue has been discussed with the Government of Zimbabwe by British Ministers and officials. We have told the Government of Zimbabwe that we cannot support the rapid programme of land acquisition that they seem to envisage. We would be willing to support a properly prepared programme of land reform as part of a partnership to eliminate poverty.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations she has made to the Government of Zambia on (a) human rights and (b) good government; and if she will make a statement. [17445]

I raised these issues with the Government of Zambia earlier this year. Officials have pursued them frequently since.