HC Deb 10 January 2001 vol 360 cc581-2W
21. Mr. David Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she and the Under-Secretary have had with their counterparts in other EC countries on the effectiveness of EC development assistance. [143216]

Clare Short

I frequently meet my counterparts from other EC countries. We most recently met as a group at the November Development Council where we agreed a new poverty-focused Development Policy for the EC. My hon. Friend the Under-Secretary recently met counterparts from Sweden and Belgium, prior to their forthcoming presidencies of the EU, and Denmark and Germany to discuss means of improving the effectiveness of EC development assistance.

24. Mr. Tom Clarke

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on her Department's collaboration with EU development donors. [143219]

Clare Short

We collaborate closely with other EU donors, including the European Commission, in order to improve the impact of our programmes on the International Development Targets. The Under-Secretary and I meet regularly with our EU counterparts to discuss development policies and their implementation. At the EU Development Council in November we agreed a new poverty-focused Development Policy for the EC as well as a new framework for preparing EC country strategies. The new framework emphasises the need for the Community to collaborate closely with other agencies, including the World Bank and the IMF. My Department is increasingly collaborating with EU and non-EU agencies in developing countries in backing poverty reduction programmes prepared by those countries.

27. Mr. David Heath

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what progress has been made in reforming the European Union's programmes for international aid. [143222]

Clare Short

There have been a number of welcome steps in recent months to improve the management and focus of EC development programmes. Financial and staff management across the Commission is being reformed, the structure and procedures for implementation of external programmes has been improved, and the EC has for the first time agreed a clear development policy with poverty reduction as its central objective. These measures were essential to tackle the very poor performance of EC development programmes. But a great deal remains to be done before we see improved impact on the ground. We are working closely with the Commission and other member states to ensure that the reforms that have been agreed are implemented effectively.