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FURTHER ASSISTANCE OF THE UNITED KINGDOM TO THE DEPARTMENT OF WATER AFFAIRS AND FORESTRY (DWAF) - 2 DECEMBER 1998

Professor Kader Asmal MP, Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry, and George Foulkes MP, British Minister for International Development, have in Pretoria (Wednesday 2 December) signed a major programme of co-operation focusing on the restructuring of forests in the former "homeland" areas of South Africa. The UK Department for International Development (DFID) is making a further (2,6 million (about Rand 25m) available to DWAF for the restructuring process.

The objective is effectively to restructure the former "homeland" forests in accordance with national policy. The overall aim is to alleviate poverty and create economic opportunities for rural communities directly to benefit from forestry management. Opportunities will be created for private sector investment rehabilitated forests in some of the poorest parts of the country. Particular emphasis will be placed on widening the existing ownership profile of the forest sector, encouraging small business development, particularly in down-stream processing and increasing community access to forestry benefits.

DFID has, since 1995, provided assistance to the South African forestry sector at the request of the Minister. The additional funds will increase DFID's contribution to DWAF forestry projects to (7.5m (Rand 67m) and will continue to assist DWAF in implementing its policies and commitments as defined in the White Paper on Sustainable Forest Development (1996), and the National Forestry Action Programme (1997).

Further information can be obtained from:

Joe Reid
Programme Administrator for Renewable Nature Resources
Department for International Development in Southern Africa

Note for editors:

GEORGE FOULKES MP

Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for International Development

George Foulkes has represented the British Parliamentary Constituency of Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley since 1979. His constituency includes the former Ayrshire coalfields, small fishing ports, almost all forms of agriculture and light industry. His majority of 21,062 was the largest in Scotland at the May 1997 election.

Before becoming Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State he was Opposition Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs (1983-92), Defence (1992-3) and Overseas Development (1994-97).

George Foulkes, was born on 21 January 1942 and attended Keith Grammar and Haberdashers Aske's Schools. He is a graduate of Edinburgh University where he was President of the Students Representative Council (SRC). He then became full time president of the Scottish Union of Students and worked for the European Movement, Enterprise youth and finally Age Concern Scotland before his election to Parliament.

In 1970 he stood for Parliament in West Edinburgh and in October 1974 in Edinburgh Pentlands against Malcolm Rifkind. From 1970-1975 he was a City Councillor in Edinburgh, where he also served as a Bailie (Magistrate). From 1974 to 1979 he was a member of Lothian Regional Council where he was Chair of the Education Committee and Chair of the Education of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities.

In Parliament he has been successively a Delegate to the Council of Europe and Member of the Foreign Affairs select Committee. He was a member of the CPA (UK) Executive, the Executive of the IPU (British Section) and Treasurer of Parliamentarians for Global Action. He remains a Trustee of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA).

Outside the House of Commons he has been Chair of Scottish left wing think-tank the John Wheatley Centre, and Chair of the Labour Campaign for Scottish Parliament. He is a member of the Cooperative Party, the GMB Union and the Fabian Society. He is married to Elizabeth Anna (nee Hope) who is Deputy Provost of South Ayrshire Council. They have three grown up children (Roderick, Jennifer and Alexander). His leisure pursuits include supporting Heart of Midlothian Football Club where he and his two sons are season ticket-holders.

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