4 British MPs arrive today

4 British MPs arrive today
Written by Fridah Zinyama
Sunday, February 15, 2009 7:42:25 AM

A delegation of four British members of parliament (MPs) will be arriving in the country today for a six-day visit.

The delegation, which is also part of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, includes Charlotte Atkins, Julie Kirkbride, Andrew Mackay and Kerry McCathy, is being led by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) UK branch secretary Andrew Tuggey.

According to a statement issued by British High Commissioner to Zambia Tom Carter, the delegation is expected to hold high level meetings with among others, the CPA Zambia Branch and other parliamentarians, the Minister of Finance, the Electoral Commission of Zambia, the Auditor General and the Anti-Corruption Commission.

High Commissioner Carter expressed happiness that the National Assembly of Zambia had invited the group of British members of parliament to visit Zambia under the auspices of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.

“The delegation is here to learn about how British aid is working in Zambia and exchange views with their Zambian counterparts on issues as varied as climate change, gender, media freedom and good governance,” he stated.

High Commissioner Carter stated that the delegation would also visit the Copperbelt to study the impact of the global economic crisis on Zambia, and visit some DFID-funded projects on the border with Zimbabwe at Chirundu.

“During the visit to Chirundu, the MPs will familiarise themselves with the Department for International Development (DFID)-sponsored projects which include the One Stop Border Post and the Migration Centre which is being managed by the International Organisation for Migration,” High Commissioner Carter stated. “Whilst on the Copperbelt, they will tour the Konkola Copper Mines.”