§ 28. Rev. Martin SmythTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent discussions she has had with her European counterparts on proposals for the better targeting of aid. [138132]
§ Clare ShortI most recently met EU Development Ministers and Commission representatives at the 10 November Development Council. The Government are implementing a detailed strategy (a copy of which is in the Library of the House) to press the European Commission and other EU member states radically to improve the poverty focus and effectiveness of EC development assistance. To this end the 10 November Development Council adopted a Development Policy Declaration with poverty reduction, and eventual eradication, as its central objective. I will continue to press for EC resource priorities to be shifted to reflect this new policy.