§ Mr. WilshireTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what evidence he has of United Kingdom or multilateral overseas aid money being improperly appropriated by Government or other officials in Kenya, Somalia, Zaire or Namibia.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydWe have no evidence of improper appropriation of aid funds provided by the United Kingdom or multilateral organisations. We have rigorous safeguards in order to minimise the risk that our aid resources are misused. These include competitive tendering wherever possible, and direct payment to contractors. Purchasing agents have to be British and approved by us; payment is made direct to the supplier. There is an extensive system of financial control, reporting and audit, backed up by physical monitoring on the ground to help ensure that aid is achieving the intended purpose.
§ Mr. WilshireTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate has been made of the percentage of overseas aid provided by Her Majesty's Government which reaches its intended recipients and of the percentage which is sold on the black market.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThe Overseas Development Administration has systems and controls, second to none, for seeking to ensure that British aid is used for the purpose intended. We have a well-established system of financial reporting, physical monitoring and audit, including visits to projects by British officials, to ensure that our aid is achieving the intended benefits on the ground. If there were any evidence of corruption related to a British aid-funded contract, we would investigate vigorously and, if proven, withdraw from it.