§ Mr. BlizzardTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps she is taking to ensure that poorer people in developing countries benefit from water supply projects in which United Kingdom companies invest. [72055]
§ Clare ShortMy Department is working in many different ways to ensure that all water companies who engage in water supply projects cater for all, especially the poor. Our policy for achieving the Millennium Development Goal of halving the number of people without access to safe water by 2015 is set out in the strategy paper "Addressing the Water crisis—Healthier and More Productive Lives for Poor People". The policy seems sustainability in water supply and sanitation service delivery with a proper pro-poor focus. We are working with developing country Governments to ensure priority for pro-poor water supply and sanitation services within the Poverty Reduction Strategy processes. We are also supporting a considerable body of research that is seeking specifically to develop mechanisms by which the private sector is able best to provide for the poor.
My Department has been at the forefront of developing new facilities to ensure that the engagement of the private sector in water supply and sanitation addresses the needs of the poor. These include the Public Private Infrastructure Advisory Facility (PPIAF), which is building capacity for effective regulation, and the Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund (EAIF), which seeks to harmonise developmental and commercial objectives.
§ Mr. BlizzardTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development how OECD guidelines for multinational enterprises, as they relate to developing countries are monitored. [72054]
§ Clare ShortLike all 36 signatories to the OECD Guidelines on Multinational Enterprises (MNEs), the UK has a national contact point (NCP), responsible for ensuring effective implementation of the guidelines, this includes contributing to the resolution of concerns about the behaviour of MNEs raised with it. The UK NCP is based on the Department of Trade and Industry working in liaison with other Government Departments. Signatories to the guidelines recognise that there are greater difficulties in implementing them in non-adhering countries (which includes almost all developing countries), not lest because they do not have NCPs. However, the Government's expectations of UK MNE behaviour are the same wherever they operate. In developing countries positive co-operation between the NCP, UK Government representation locally, business, unions, NGOs, and individuals is important for successful implementation and promotion. The UK Government are working hard to raise the profile of the guidelines in developing countries, for example through the recent G7/8 Action Plan for Africa initiative, through UK overseas 1135W posts, and through discussions with fellow signatories and interested parties at the regular NCP meetings in the OECD. We will continue these efforts as it is in developing countries where, arguably, the guidelines can make the most impact.