§ 19. Mr. WattsTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps her Department is taking to improve the quality of EC development assistance. [62762]
§ Clare ShortWe have recently published our strategy for improving the quality of EC development assistance. It has been placed in the Libraries of both Houses. It was prepared in consultation with a wide range of interested bodies. The paper sets out 18 detailed objectives for the Department for International Development (DFID) for its partnership with the EC. The main focus is on: improving the poverty focus of the EC's programmes, in particular through forthcoming decisions on resource allocation; rationalising the Commission's organisation structure for managing external assistance, and strengthening staffing; improving aid management systems and harmonising and streamlining procedures to increase the developmental impact of the EC's programmes; and strengthening coordination and collaboration between the Commission, member states and other donors, within a framework managed by beneficiary countries.
DFID will work with other member states, the Commission. the European Parliament and the Court of Auditors in pursuit of these objectives. We are committed to maximising the effectiveness of the EC's work to promote international development. Our approach will, as 591W in the past, be informed by discussions with beneficiary countries, NGOs, the private sector and the academic community.