§ Mr. LyonsTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent discussions she has had on the situtation in Malawi. [59647]
§ Clare ShortI and my officials are in ongoing discussions with all relevant institutions about the situation in Malawi.
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§ Mr. LyonsTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she has reviewed the decision to freeze Britain's £12.5 million of bilateral aid to Malawi. [59648]
§ Clare ShortDFID has allocated £70 million for Malawi in 2002–03. Of this £25 million is set aside for direct budget support. Budgetary support is currently suspended as the Government of Malawi has failed to carry out a number of agreed economic and financial reform measures crucial to progression in poverty reduction in Malawi. I am currently considering redirecting the first tranche of funds set aside for budgetary support to provide additional fund assistance to Malawi.