HC Deb 11 November 1998 vol 319 c202W
9. Mr. Davidson

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when she last met the President of the World bank to discuss the impact of world financial affairs on international development; and if she will make a statement. [57809]

Clare Short

My right hon. Friend the Chancellor and I met the President of the World Bank during the Annual Meetings in Washington in early October. During our discussions, and at the meetings themselves, we stressed the importance we attach to addressing the social implications of the current financial crisis. This is important because the poor had no part in causing the crisis and should not be left to bear the brunt but also because national consensus is needed to carry through some of the reforms needed to overcome the crisis. This is unlikely to be reached in highly divided societies. The communiqués of the Interim and Development Committees reflected our concerns, noting the need to mitigate the most harmful effects of the crisis on the poor.

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