To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will provide a breakdown by major heading of how the recently announced £50 million to help conserve the Congo basin rainforest will be spent, including details of all funding recipients. (133499)

The UK is committing £50 million to support proposals that have been made by 10 central African countries, to help them protect the Congo basin's forests and people. This will establish a fund that will slow the rate of deforestation by developing the capacity of people and institutions in the Congo basin countries to manage their forests and help local communities find livelihoods that are consistent with the conservation of forests.

The details of the new fund are still being developed—including how the work will be implemented. The fund will have a clear governance framework designed to ensure that it has strong African ownership and supports the needs of the Congo basin's countries, protects the livelihoods and rights of forest people and is spent effectively, with good financial management.