Article IV Reports

HC Deb 23 October 2001 vol 373 cc203-4W

Matthew Taylor

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if it is the policy of the Government to publish the UK's article IV reports to the IMF in future. [8136]

Ruth Kelly

As we said in our Annual Report to Parliament, "The UK and the IMF 1999–2000", the Government are committed to publishing IMF Article IV reports on the UK.

In August 2000, following a successful pilot project, the Executive Board of the IMF adopted a policy of voluntary publication of Article IV staff reports. The UK had participated in the pilot project, authorising publication of our 1999 Article IV report at the earliest opportunity. The UK's 2000 Article IV was published in February 2001, shortly after its conclusion. The Government believe that publication is an important step in enhancing the transparency and credibility of IMF surveillance and will continue to publish the UK's reports in the future. We will also continue to encourage other IMF member countries to do likewise.