§ 13. Mr. CorbynTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proposals he has made to the International Monetary Fund to alleviate the effects of structural adjustment programmes on poor and indebted countries. [22239]
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe Government support the International Monetary Fund's policy on structural adjustment programmes. Adhering to a structural adjustment programme will often require difficult decisions by the country concerned. But we believe it is important that requests for lending by international financial institutions be accompanied by sensible conditions. This is in the interests of the countries concerned. Sound economic policies are needed if countries are to achieve sustainable economic growth. The alternative to structural adjustment is slower growth and worse poverty.