§ Mr. DenhamTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what guidance was given to the United Kingdom executive director of the World bank in respect of the vote on expanding access to World bank information; and how he voted.
§ Mr. Goodlad[holding answer 29 November 1993]: We welcome the measures approved by the World bank's board of executive directors in August to increase substantially the information which the bank makes publicly available. We consider that this will help to promote a more participatory approach and thus strengthen the developmental effectiveness of bank-funded operations, as well as enhancing public awareness and understanding of the bank's role.
It is not our practice to reveal instructions to our executive director nor to disclose what position he takes in board discussions, the proceedings of which remain confidential.