§ Mr. SheermanTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to consult non-governmental organisations on the Government's involvement in the consultative group to assist the poorest. [5192]
§ Mr. HanleyODA advisers have taken part in setting up an informal network of British NGOs and other organisations interested in micro-finance. In September, they briefed a meeting of relevant NGOs, hosted by Action Aid, on the formation and operation of the consultative group to assist the poorest. The network will be meeting again in February 1996, and ODA advisers will use the opportunity to consult with NGOs on the current progress at the consultative group.
§ Mr. SheermanTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to ensure that credit from the consultive group to assist the poorest initiative will be directed at the very poorest. [5191]
§ Mr. HanleyThe consultative group to assist the poorest is a forum where donors supporting the provision if micro-financial services exchange experiences, and review options for extending and improving the impact of their programmes. The difficulties of providing appropriate financial services, both credit and savings facilities, to the very poorest is a central issue for all donors. ODA is actively feeding the lessons from its programmes in countries such as Bangladesh and Kenya into the CGAP process, and likewise learning from the experiences of other donors' programmes.