2-April-2003

Minister discusses aid and trade at the Civic Centre

International Development Minister Sally Keeble will be joining local MP Alan Whitehead to discuss the issue of aid and trade on Thursday 3 April at the Civic Centre in Southampton.

Alan Whitehead, MP for Southampton Test, who will be chairing the meeting, says,
"In reality aid often represents a sticking plaster dealing with the immediate and vital needs of famine, water shortages or war. What is needed is more fundamental examination of how the global economy works, moving to fairer trade between the developing world and western countries rather than just freer trade. Hopefully this meeting will outline what the British government is already doing to make that a reality but also what needs to be done and what the people of Southampton can do help the poorest nations."

The meeting will examine many of the issues that came into the public domain during the successful Jubilee 2000 campaign to drop the debt of the world's poorest countries.

ENDS

Contact

Mike Collins in the constituency office on 023 8023 1942 or 07855 328914