HC Deb 04 April 2001 vol 366 cc195-6W
Mr. Cox

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the assistance programmes her Department is funding in(a) Romania and (b) Albania. [156704]

Clare Short

Our main financial contribution to development programmes is through the EC and other multilateral agencies. Our share of EC programme commitments to Romania and Albania in 2000 was £79 million.

Activities under our bilateral programmes are as follows:

In Romania we are funding programmes for accountancy and audit reform; the Court of Audit; civil service reform; health care and child care reform; the development of a probation service; development of insurance services; energy sector regulation; social protection; education finance; mining communities; rural development; citizens advice and information services; environmental project design; environmental partnerships at municipal level; and water and wastewater services.

In Albania we are supporting the Government's Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy and Medium Term Expenditure Framework; health financing and planning; taxation reform; media development; public administration reform; social policy and social service reform; rural livelihoods; environment; and emergency planning and disposal or ordnance.

We published a country strategy paper for Romania in October 1999, and for Albania in January 2001. Copies are in the Library of the House.

Mr. Cox

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what financial assistance her Department has provided to UNICEF for its work in the protection of young refugees from(a) Romania and (b) Albania. [156705]

Clare Short

We have provided a total of £7.75 million to UNICEF for programmes in the Balkans. Of this sum, £1 million was allocated to Albania and £3.5 million for regional programmes. There was no specific allocation for Romania.

Back to