§ Mr. Matthew TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development when the European Development Fund is due to be replenished; and how much the UK will be contributing. [40341]
§ Clare ShortThe European Development Fund finances development co-operation under the Lomé Convention. The current Lomé Convention expires at the end of February 2000. Discussions on future financial co-operation will form part of the negotiations for a successor to Lomé which are expected to begin in September 1998 and be completed before the expiry of the current agreement.
§ Mr. Matthew TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what are the(a) percentage and (b) amount of the UK's financial assistance to developing countries administered through (i) the European Commission and (ii) the European Development Fund in (1) the past two financial years and (2) the present financial year. [40340]
§ Clare ShortThe European Commission administers development funds from both the European Community Budget and the European Development Fund. The percentage and the amount of the UK's financial assistance to developing countries administered through the European Commission in (1) financial year 1995–96 and (2) financial year 1996–97 and a breakdown of which of these sources it came from is detailed in the table. Figures for the present year are not yet available.
UK assistance to developing countries administered by the Commission %from EC budget Amount from EC budget % from EDF Amount from EDF Total % Total amount (1) 11 301,733 8 223,064 19 524,797 (2) 13 323,961 6 150,832 19 474,793