§ Mr. Alan SimpsonTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) if her Department has given(a) practical and (b) financial backing of the World bank loan for the Vision 20/20 proposals; [159760]
314W(2) what representations she has made to the World bank in support of Vision 20/20; and what scale of World bank loan this has resulted in. [159761]
§ Clare ShortWe share the objectives underpinning the 20/20 initiative, but have reservations about its capacity to influence implementation of poverty reduction objectives. The 20/20 idea is based on inputs rather than effective use of resources. While it encourages desirable attention to social programmes, it does not ensure that resources will be directed to the meeting of the International Development targets. As far as we are aware, the World bank is not proposing to provide financial support to the 20/20 initiative.