HC Deb 07 March 1995 vol 256 cc129-30W
Mr. Denham

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further measures his Department has taken to ensure that the World bank abides by its own operational guidelines.

Mr. Baldry

We expect the World bank to maintain effective control systems—including internal review, internal audit, evaluation and the inspection panel—to ensure adherence to operational policies; and will continue to keep under review the scope for improvements in these systems.

Mr. Denham

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the review of the World bank's revised disclosure of information policy took place as planned; what further improvements the review indicated were necessary; and what measures he is taking to implement improvements.

Mr. Baldry

A report reviewing the World bank's experience in implementing its revised information disclosure policy was completed in January 1995. The report concludes that the bank has made substantial progress, and notes that it is continuing to intensify its efforts in two areas in particular: (i) staff training; and (ii) ensuring that available information is accessible to people in borrowing countries, especially those in project areas. We shall monitor the bank's efforts and make suggestions for improvements as necessary. We welcome the fact that the bank is also drawing on the views of non-governmental organisations to help identify problem areas and possible solutions. The report "Disclosure policy retrospective" is available through the bank's public information centre.

Mr. Denham

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what occasions the Government have withheld funds from any part of the World bank because agreed conditions for disbursal had not been met; if he will give details; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Baldry

Circumstances have not arisen in which we deemed it necessary to withhold funds on those grounds.

Mr. Denham

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further steps the World bank is taking to evaluate the effectiveness of its poverty alleviation activities; whether the recommendations of previous evaluations have been implemented; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Baldry

The World bank prepares an annual report on progress in implementing its poverty reduction strategy. The most recent report—"Poverty reduction and the World Bank: progress in Fiscal 1994", which is available through the bank's public information centre—summarises a wide range of activities designed to help the poor, based on the poverty reduction strategy outlined in the World Development Report 1990. The report notes that lack of effective poverty monitoring remains an issue, and outlines efforts under way to address this. It also acknowledges that slippage in the preparation of country poverty assessments needs to be reduced, without sacrificing quality or ownership by borrowers. We shall he reviewing proposals to strengthen the International Development Association's performance in these areas during the 11th replenishment negotiations.