§ 4. Mr. William Cash (Stone)If she will make a statement on her Department's plans to reform the European Union's aid expenditure. [85976]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for International Development (Mr. George Foulkes)In December 1998, we published our 18-point strategy to improve European Union development spending. This makes clear our concern that aid spending is skewed against the poorest countries and often of poor quality. We are pursuing implementation of this strategy very vigorously with the Commission and with member states, pressing particularly for more development assistance for poorer countries. The Secretary of State agreed a joint declaration on improving the EU's contribution to international development with our French and German opposite numbers in February. The Development Council approved conclusions on 21 May endorsing many of our specific recommendations. I should say—especially to this particular hon. Member—that the Government are pleased that our proposals for a single Commissioner, a single programme and a single budget for development have been adopted by President Prodi.
§ Mr. CashWill the Minister congratulate the Conservative party on its victory in the European elections? Now, there will be greater scrutiny over fraud and corruption in the programmes referred to in my question. Will the hon. Gentleman confirm that while we would welcome any improvement, the way in which to achieve it is to seek real accountability so that real questions can receive real answers?
§ Mr. FoulkesIf I did as the hon. Gentleman asks, I might not answer many more questions from the Dispatch Box. [HON. MEMBERS: "You don't answer them."] No, indeed. I can assure the hon. Gentleman that we are concerned about fraud. The report of the Committee of Independent Experts highlighted a lack of accountability and responsibility, which has resulted in a radical shake-up of the Commission.
If the hon. Gentleman is satisfied with and draws comfort from some 30 per cent. of the votes, on a turnout of 25 per cent., he is clutching at straws.
§ Mr. Robin Corbett (Birmingham, Erdington)All hon. Members who are interested in international development will welcome the proposal for a single European Commissioner to focus the Commission's attention on this important area. How soon is that proposal likely to be implemented?
§ Mr. FoulkesI understand that it will be implemented as soon as the new Commission is appointed next month. We are not satisfied only with a single Commissioner; we are now pressing for more money to go to the poorest countries. We have a target of 70 per cent., because at the moment only 50 per cent. of development money goes to the poorest countries. We shall press also for greater efficiency in delivering the budget. We are only just starting the shake-up that is needed in EU development spending.