Climate change was a hot topic of debate at the session, as it Asked about the private sector's involvement, Meacher said that public aid provides infrastructure, good governance and a stable economy, all of which help create the stable environment necessary to bring in private investment. But, in a world in which 6,000 children die every year because of the lack of clean water, one cannot wait for private initiative.

Meacher added that a more ambitious and radical program of debt relief is needed, and he said that Britain is in favor of extending or enhancing debt relief for heavily indebted poor countries, although he stopped short of backing the outright forgiving of debt. Britain, he emphasized, recognizes the value of local projects, local innovation and local leadership and supports local, community-led initiatives, many of which have proven to be phenomenal successes.

Meacher said that water is likely to be the single most important sectoral issue at the Johannesburg summit. Britain is sending a large delegation that will be headed by Prime Minister Tony Blair and will include Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott, Meacher and other ministers and foreign office officials as well as private sector representatives. In preparation for the summit, Prime Minister Blair has, for some time now, been holding meetings with private sector representatives at 10 Downing Street in order to help inform them and address any potential concerns. As for Meacher, he is already looking ahead to Johannesburg, past the rhetoric and straight to the action.