§ 11. Mr. StunellTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she has had with the IMF and World bank representatives about reforming policies and programmes to protect access to basic education. [79114]
§ Clare ShortWe made clear in our White Paper in November 1997 that we are strongly committed to the implementation of the international development targets which include universal primary education by 2015. We have worked consistently to encourage the World Bank and IMF to incorporate the targets in their programmes.
In recent discussions with the Managing Director of the IMF and the President of the World Bank, I have underlined the importance of protecting spending on health, and education for the poor.