§ 23. Mr. BaronTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what action her Department is taking to improve the quality and transparency of EU aid programmes. [14168]
§ Clare ShortWe have worked hard, and with some success, to promote reform of the Community's aid programmes and policies. There have been a number of important steps forward, in particular a new Development Policy focused on the overall objective of poverty elimination and the Commission's management reforms. Early next year the Commission will publish the first Annual Report on Community External Assistance. While the content of this report is likely to reflect the weaknesses of existing programmes, we believe this improved transparency and accountability will help all concerned to drive forward the implementation of the reform agenda.