Following a recent visit to St Robert's of Newminster School in
Washington to meet with the Burma Campaign Group, Sharon
asked a series of questions to Ministers which were raised by the
children at the school. All of these questions can be seen
below.
Burma: Overseas Aid
Mrs. Hodgson: To ask the
Secretary of State for International Development how much aid his
Department plans to provide to Burma in each year from 2008 until
2011. [207664]
Mr. Douglas Alexander:
The Department for International
Development (DFID) plans to spend £12 million in Burma in 2008-09,
rising to £15 million in 2009-10 and £18 million in 2010-11. This
allocation is additional to the £27.5 million we have committed to
emergency relief in Burma following Cyclone Nargis.
Burma Storms
Mrs. Hodgson: To ask the
Secretary of State for International Development what funding his
Department has provided to cross-border groups which have been
providing humanitarian assistance in Burma since Cyclone Nargis.
[207663]
Mr. Douglas Alexander:
The Department for International
Development (DFID) has so far pledged £27.5 million towards the
humanitarian effort following Cyclone Nargis. This assistance is
being channelled through the United Nations, the Red Cross and NGOs
with the greatest capacity to operate effectively in the areas of
Burma worst hit by the cyclone. We have no plans at present to
channel funds through cross-border groups based in neighbouring
countries.
Burma: Political Prisoners
Mrs. Hodgson: To ask the
Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent
steps he has taken to seek to secure the release of Aung San Suu
Kyi and other political prisoners in Burma. [207665]
Meg Munn: On 27 May, the
Burmese regime decided to extend Aung San Suu Kyi’s house arrest
for a further 12 months. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary
made a public statement on 27 May expressing his sadness that the
Burmese Government had extended Aung San Suu Kyi’s detention. He
also said that while our immediate focus is on relieving the
suffering caused by the recent cyclone, restoration of democracy in
Burma is still vital for that country’s long-term future. He urged
the Burmese Government to release Aung San Suu Kyi and allow her to
play her rightful role in the process of genuine national
reconciliation. On 29 May, the EU presidency issued a statement
which “strongly deplored” the decision taken to renew Aung San Suu
Kyi’s house arrest.
The member states of the EU continue to call for the release of
opposition political figures. Measures adopted under the EU Common
Position remain in place to underpin pressure on the regime to move
to an inclusive democratic system of governance. In a President’s
Statement last month, the UN Security Council reaffirmed its call
last October for the release of political prisoners in Burma.
Burma: Internally Displaced Persons
Mrs. Hodgson: To ask the
Secretary of State for International Development what funding his
Department has provided to Burmese people displaced by the military
regime. [207662]
9 Jun 2008 : Column 5W
Mr. Douglas Alexander:
In 2007-08 the Department for
International Development (DFID) contributed £770,000 to the
Thailand Burma Border Consortium (TBBC) which provides food and
other support to Burmese refugees in Thailand and to displaced
people inside Burma. We are discussing DFID's contribution for
2008-09 with TBBC and Christian Aid, through which this funding is
channelled. DFID also provides support from within Burma to people
living in and near conflict and ceasefire areas in the border
regions, many of whom have been displaced. In all, about 20 per
cent. of DFID's regular programme of assistance for Burma (which is
doubling from £9 million in 2007-09 to £18 million in 2010-11)
benefits people in areas affected by conflict. The £17 million
which DFID has pledged so far in emergency assistance following
Cyclone Nargis is additional to the regular programme.
14. Mrs. Hodgson: To ask
the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he
will make a statement on the political situation in Burma.
[213069]
Meg Munn: The recent referendum
lacks any credibility and the new constitution cannot provide a
sound basis for Burma’s future. The renewal of Aung San Suu Kyi’s
house arrest on 27 May demonstrates the regime’s determination to
exclude legitimate political actors from the political process.
Only a process that includes all ethnic groups and political
parties can lead to genuine national reconciliation. We will
continue to work with regional and other international partners,
including at the EU and UN, to encourage genuine democratic
change.
........................
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Sharon Hodgson MP
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E-mail: hodgsons@parliament.uk
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