HC Deb 05 July 2001 vol 371 c261W
Dr. Tonge

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of poverty reduction strategy papers in reducing poverty. [2292]

Clare Short

Only five countries—Uganda, Burkino Faso, Tanzania, Mauritania and Bolivia have developed full poverty reduction strategy papers. More than 20 low income countries, have produced interim PRSPs and a further 15 could be presented by the end of 2001. PRSPs contain goals and targets for poverty reduction over 3–10 years. One positive early indication is the strong degree of local ownership that has emerged in the course of developing many of the PRSPs.