§ Mr. Don FosterTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the public consultations undertaken by her Department since 1997, indicating for each consultation(a) if copies were available online, (b) if copies were available in print, (c) the date the time period given for responses opened and (d) the date the time period given for responses closed. [69803]
§ Clare ShortWe do not keep a record of all consultations held since 1997, and it would involve disproportionate cost to compile such a list. However, all current consultations are now featured on DFID's website as well as being available in printed format.
§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the length was of each public consultation undertaken by her Department since 8 June 2001. [68741]
§ Clare ShortSince June 2001 the Department for International Development has completed one public consultation process on a strategy paper for achieving the Millennium Development Goal on hunger. More than 1,000 people outside Government, in the United Kingdom and internationally, were sent copies of the consultation paper, which was also placed on the DFID website, between February 2002 and 31 March 2002.
The consultation for a DFID-wide research policy study, "Research For Poverty Reduction", commenced April 2002 and ended 10 May 2002. The consultation for "Better Livelihoods for Poor People: The Role of Agriculture" commenced November 2001 and ended 24 June 2002.
The following consultations are currently under way, with information available in print form and electronically:
Energy for the Poor" (commenced May 2002, ends 31 July 2002)Making connections: Infrastructure for poverty reduction" (commenced May 2002, ends 31 July 2002).The Department pursues more focused consultation exercises with outside bodies and experts on particular issues. The Department also regularly makes available, via its website and through civil society networks, briefing notes on major international meetings in which it is involved, such as the United Nations Financing for Development Conference in Monterrey in March, the United Nations General Assembly Special Session on Children in May, International Monetary Fund and World bank meetings, and European Union Development Council meetings.
41WThe Department has just finished its third round of Development Policy Forums across the UK, to share thinking and ideas on key development issues. Over 2000 representatives from across society—including from NGOs, trade unions, private sector, faith organisations and universities—participated in the 11 one-day forums, between 6 February and 8 July 2002. The forums focused on globalisation and its potential to reduce world poverty, with participants invited to debate the specific themes of trade, environment and the private sector.
Bilateral aid to low income countries 1995–96 to 2000–01 Total bilateral programme (£ million) of which, country specific aid (£ million) of which, to low income countries £ million) Percentage of total bilateral programme Percentage of country specific aid 1995–96 1,123 869 602 54 69 1996–97 1,075 855 575 53 67 1997–98 1,043 824 536 51 65 1998–99 1,164 920 666 57 72 1999–2000 1,323 1,056 710 54 67 2000–01 1,414 1,167 886 63 76
§ John BarrettTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what priority is given to the quality of governance in determining the allocation of financial assistance to overseas countries. [68812]
§ Clare ShortThe primary determinants of our allocations between countries are the extent of poverty and our judgments about where we can be most effective. The quality of governance is an important factor in assessment of our potential effectiveness, alongside such issues as the policies, commitment and capacity of Government and other institutions and the adequacy of alternative sources of finance.