§ 4. Mr. Juddasked the Minister of Overseas Development whether she will make a statement on her latest consultations with other member States of the International Development Association concerning the Association's next financial replenishment.
§ The Minister of Overseas Development(Mrs. Judith Hart)As part of the continuing process of consultation between member States, the International Development Association has called a further meeting of representatives of the Part I member countries in Vienna early next week, at the invitation of the Austrian Government. I hope that at this meeting it will be possible to make further progress towards a decision on the size and form of the third replenishment.
§ Mr. JuddIs my right hon. Friend aware that there is widespread respect throughout the international community for the forthright lead which she has given in this matter? Will she remind our partners in I.D.A. that the delay in coming to conclusions on the last replenishment seriously disrupts the ongoing programme of the organisation, and this should in future be avoided at all costs?
§ Mrs. HartI am grateful to my hon. Friend for his comments. We have certainly tried to give all the lead we could in this matter. I am hoping that a final decision may be reached by the middle of the year. We shall do our best to persuade our friends to join with us.