HC Deb 19 June 2002 vol 387 cc387-8W
Mrs. Spelman

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether UK funds disbursed via the European Union are to be tied to a country's policy towards asylum seekers. [62424]

Clare Short

The European Council at Seville will be discussing measures to encourage co-operation by third countries on returns and illegal migration. Her Majesty's

Costs
£
1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02
Inland Revenue
Advertising 4,576,288 7,677,680 11,742,684 18,966,466 8,652,650
HM Customs and Excise
Advertising 378,000 352,000 339,000 2,888.000 1,312,000
Office for National Statistics
Advertising 3,000 3,000 3,000 1,100.000 1,800.000
Public relations 0 0 0 172,000 73,000
Debt Management Office1
Advertising n/a 162,714 261,828 224,396 202,996
Public relations n/a 0 0 0 0
Government Actuary's Department
Advertising 33,000 53,000 50.000 39,000 35.000
Public relations 5,000 6,000 12,000 10,000 12.000
Valuation Office Agency
Advertising 0 0 81,217 39,227 0

Government believe that all inter-governmental relationships should be developed to encourage co-operation on these issues, but that nothing should be done which undermines the need to focus European Union aid on the reduction of poverty.