§ Mr. TimmsTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations she has made to the IMF in respect of the recommendations of the Treasury Committee in its Fourth Report of Session 1996–97 (HC68) that it should establish an independent evaluation unit reporting directly to the Board and publishing its findings. [18352]
§ Mrs. LiddellI have been asked to reply to this question on behalf of the Chancellor of the Exchequer who is the Governor of the IMF.
We strongly support an enhanced evaluation function in the IMF and have consistently pressed for an independent evaluation unit. We will continue to do so, but further progress on this is unlikely before the end of next year when the two year trial period for the current limited 180W external evaluations will be completed. We are therefore working to ensure that the existing external evaluation system works as effectively as possible, and take an active role in the Executive Directors committee which co-ordinates the process.