HL Deb 10 May 1999 vol 600 cc122-3WA
Lord Stoddart of Swindon

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the amount of aid given by the European Union annually to Algeria and Morocco; how much is provided by the United Kingdom; and whether the aid is properly, honestly and efficiently administered. [HL2255]

Baroness Amos:

The EC, mainly through its Mediterranean Assistance (MEDA) programme 1995–99, provides a significant amount of official development assistance to Algeria and Morocco each year. In 1997 (the latest year for which figures are available) this amounted to £20.8 million for Algeria and £121.5 million for Morocco. The UK's share of this assistance is estimated at £3.1 million for Algeria and £18.2 million for Morocco.1

We are concerned about the quality of the EC programme to the Mediterranean and have consistently supported measures to improve financial management within the programme. The renewal of the MEDA regulation for 2000–06 will provide an opportunity to streamline EC procedures and promote more rigorous evaluation and quality control.

1Figures are from DAC online database.