HC Deb 15 October 2002 vol 390 cc663-4W
Mr. Sayeed

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) if, when carrying out her functions as Governor of the International Finance Corporation of the World Bank Group, she has sole responsibility for instructing the UK Executive Director as to how to exercise the UK's vote on the board of the IFC; which other departments are involved in this role; and if she will make a statement;[74579]

(2) what guidelines exist concerning the manner in which instructions are given to the UK Executive Director as to how to exercise the UK's votes on the Board of the International Finance Corporation or on the Board of other of the World Bank Group institutions; if she will place such material in the library; and if she will make a statement. [74578]

Clare Short

My Department is responsible for the UK Government's relations with the World Bank Group, including the International Finance Corporation (IFC). We are represented on the Boards of the World Bank Group by the UK Executive Director or members of his staff in the UK Delegation to the World Bank Group and International Monetary Fund in Washington. The UK Executive Director and his team take instructions from my department and receive guidance from, liaise closely with and report fully to my department and, as appropriate, other interested Whitehall departments and the Bank of England.

All papers for consideration by the IFC Board are received by the UK Delegation and forwarded to DFID officials in London who consider these on the basis of agreed Government policy. If any issues arising in the papers appear controversial or are of particular interest, officials bring these to my attention or to the attention of other relevant government departments.

The majority of papers are uncontroversial and we are content to support the recommendations of IFC management. Where necessary, DFID officials provide briefing and points for the UK Delegation to make in the Board discussion. As with the rest of the World Bank Group, nearly all Board decisions are taken on the basis of consensus, to reflect Board discussions, and decisions rarely go to direct votes.