WORLD SUMMIT ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT,JOHANNESBURG,SEPTEMBER 2002

Early day motion 727, tabled 24 January 2002 by Chris McCafferty (Labour). Signed by 74 members.

That this House recognises the importance of population and reproductive health and rights in respect of the forthcoming World Summit on Sustainable Development; agrees that persistent poverty and serious social and gender inequities have significant influences on and are in turn influenced by demographic factors such as population growth, structure and distribution; further agrees that efforts to slow population growth, reduce poverty, achieve economic progress, improve environmental protection and reduce unsustainable consumption and production are mutually reinforcing; notes that sustained economic growth within the context of sustainable development is essential to eradicate poverty and that eradicating poverty contributes to achieving early population stabilisation; further notes that eliminating all forms of discrimination against women is therefore a prerequisite for eradicating poverty, promoting sustained economic growth, ensuring quality family planning and reproductive health services, and achieving a balance between population and available resources.

Signatures by party: Labour 50, Liberal Democrat 9, Labour/Co-operative 7, Conservative 3, Plaid Cymru 3, Scottish National Party 1, UUP 1.