Short still cautious on Iraq

Clare Short: No rush to war

International Development Secretary Clare Short was questioned about a possible war with Iraq when she visited the Roseland School near Truro.

The cabinet minister, who is well known for her anti-war views, told year 11 geography students who quizzed her on the crisis: "We should not rush to war. We should reinforce the authority of the UN.

"We should look after the interests of the Iraqi people, not take military action that kills a lot of them, or causes them a lot of suffering.

"We have to deal with Saddam Hussein but we should not glamorise war or rush to it fast.

Fair Trade

"We should go steadily through the United Nations."

Pupil Laura Stanworth, said: "I was quite disappointed because I thought she would say she was trying her hardest to completely prevent war.

"But her answer was more along the lines of she was just trying to postpone it."

Ms Short visited the school's tuck shop, which sells Fair Trade food.

She also dropped in to the Eden project which has received funds from the Department of International Development.

Future Harvest UK aims to educate people about the importance of food production and the role of international agricultural research for developing countries.