HC Deb 19 April 1993 vol 223 cc34-5W
Mr. Meacher

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will place in the Library details of British bilateral aid project allocations and expenditures since 1989 by country within each sector;

(2) if he will place in the Library details of British bilateral aid project allocations and expenditures in each year since 1989 by sector within each country.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

[holding answers 2 April 1993]: Because of current developments in the ODA's management information systems it is not presently possible to provide this information in the form requested except at disproportionate cost. Details of our aid allocations, by country and by sector, are given in "British Aid Statistics", a copy of which has been placed in the Library.

Mr. Meacher

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library the project cycle for the approval and implementation of British bilateral aid projects.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

[holding answer 2 April 1993]: Copies have been placed in the Library.

Mr. Meacher

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the results of consultations with potentially affected communities about particular bilateral aid projects are made available to the public, both in the recipient country and in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

[holding answer 2 April 1993]: Working documents relating to the appraisal or implementation of projects, which may include the results of such consultations, are not generally made available. The results of such consultations may however be covered in published project evaluation reports.

Mr. Meacher

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the Overseas Development Administration requests that the sponsors of bilateral aid projects consult potentially affected communities as part of the project cycle.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

[holding answer 2 April 1993]: For projects which have a direct impact on local communities ODA seeks to ensure full consultation with and participation by those directly affected by the project. This applies throughout the project cycle, with particular efforts to involve women and poor people. Written guidance and training is given to ODA staff and ODA often provides specialist advice to the project sponsors in developing countries.

Mr. Meacher

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) which proposed or approved British bilateral aid projects have been withdrawn following an environmental assessment;

(2) whether an environmental assessment is produced for British bilateral aid projects before the projects and evaluation committee gives a proposal the go-ahead.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

[holding answers 2 April 1993]: ODA projects, including those considered by the projects and evaluation committee, are subject to environmental assessment according to the procedures described in ODA's manual of environmental appraisal, a copy of which is in the Library of the House. ODA does not keep central records of project proposals which do not reach the approval point.