HC Deb 30 April 1998 vol 311 c186W
Mr. Matthew Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will raise the issue of the environmental record of the Commission's funded programmes in developing countries at the Development Council meeting in May. [40353]

Clare Short

My Department continues to work closely with the Commission to promote the full integration of environmental considerations into EC programmes and projects. One of our Presidency priorities is to seek to improve the effectiveness of the EC's development programmes. I will not, however, be raising this issue at the Development Council in May.

Mr. Matthew Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what issues are on the agenda for the Development Council meeting in May. [40347]

Clare Short

The agenda is still under discussion. However, the main items are likely to be:

  1. (a) The EU's Negotiating Mandate for the successor to the Lomé Convention.
  2. (b) Conclusions on follow-up to the 1993 Poverty Resolution.
  3. (c) Conclusions on follow-up to the 1995 Gender Resolution.
  4. (d) Progress Report and Exchange of views on the Evaluation of European Union Development Aid.
  5. (e) Commission Presentation on Indigenous People.
  6. (f) Commission Presentation on Humanitarian Aid.