HL Deb 15 February 1982 vol 427 c449WA
Lord Brockway

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will use their influence in the World Bank directorate and with the Government of the United States—

  1. (a) to reverse the decision of the World Bank to reduce its contribution to the International Development Association's loans to the poorest countries from 4.1 billion dollars to 2.6 billion dollars this year due to the reduction in the United States' participation; and
  2. (b) to oppose the United States' proposal to set a lower level of per capita income for loans from the World Bank.

The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Lord Carrington)

The United States has not reduced its overall participation in the current replenishment of the International Development Assocation (IDA 6). For an account of the position I refer the noble Lord to my noble friend's reply to the noble Lord, Lord Oram, on 10th February(Hansard, volume 427, col. 258). The World Bank executive board recently reviewed its policy on the per capita income eligibility level for loans from the Bank and decided to maintain its present guidelines.