"Action Must Follow Promises" : Bruce Gives Keynote Speech on Future of Africa

12.30.45pm UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 10th Oct 2005

Gordon Liberal Democrat MP Malcolm Bruce, Chair of the House of Common's International Development Select Committee, will today give the keynote address at a conference looking at aid priorities for Africa.

Commenting on the event, Mr Bruce said:

"I have received hundreds of letters and emails from constituents who want to see concrete action follow the promises made by our Government and others that they will work together to tackle poverty, reverse the spread of AIDs and make trade more fair to developing nations.

"I will use this speech to add my voice to theirs. Africa faces numerous obstacles to growth and stability, but that does not mean that these goals are unachievable.

"Alongside measures which seek to alleviate poverty, I will be calling for more action to stop the trade in small arms which fuels conflict, an end to trade-distorting agricultural subsidies and more resources to be put towards training African teachers, doctors and nurses. As corruption continues to be a significant problem in Africa I am also pressing for reforms which will stamp it out where it often starts - here in the developed world."

You can read the speech in full by going to the list of Malcolm's recent speeches at http://www.malcolmbruce.org.uk/speeches/recent.html