HL Deb 19 November 1998 vol 594 cc203-4WA
Baroness Gardner of Parkes

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will seek assurances from the European Commission that those non-governmental organisations which, due to revision of the European Commission's Humanitarian Office (ECHO) guidelines, have been delayed in signing Framework Partnership Agreements with the ECHO are not excluded from applying to work with the ECHO on humanitarian projects. [HL3887]

Baroness Amos

The issue of the relationship between Non-Governmental Organisations and the European Community Humanitarian Office (ECHO) is being discussed at the next ECHO Humanitarian Aid Committee meeting in Brussels on 26 November, where information on the latest Framework Partnership Contract is to be presented to member state delegations. We will take the opportunity of raising the noble Baroness's point with them.