To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations he has received on UNESCO's decision to establish the UNESCO-Obiang Nguema Mbasogo International Prize for Research in the Life Sciences; and if he will make a statement. (300240)

The UK Delegation to UNESCO has received one e-mail expressing concern at the creation of this prize, from the Open Society Institute in November 2009.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what role his Department played in the processes leading to UNESCO's decision to establish the UNESCO-Obiang Nguema Mbasogo International Prize for Research in the Life Sciences; and if he will make a statement. (300241)

The proposal to establish this prize was put forward by the Republic of Equatorial Guinea to UNESCO's Executive Board on 29 September 2008; and it was approved by the Executive Board on 17 October 2008. The UK was not a member of the Board and therefore took no part in the decision.