§ Mr. CameronTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the UK policy was in respect of US attempts to block proposals to increase the influence of developing countries within the World Bank; and if he will make a statement. [123402]
§ John HealeyThe UK Government are committed to making the voice of developing countries in the World Bank and the IMF more effective. In the 2000 Department for International Development (DfID) White Paper, HMG committed to
work with others to build a stronger, more open and accountable international system, in which poor people and countries have a more effective voice.DfID have lead responsibility for issues related to the World Bank, and the Treasury has been working closely with them on this issue.
221WThe Development Committee at the spring meetings of the World Bank and the IMF in April 2003 requested the boards of the bank and fund to
consider and elaborate upon options with a potential for broad support, taking account of shareholder and institutional implicationsfor discussion at the next meeting of the Development Committee.An issues paper which sets out the various options in this area is now being discussed by the board of the World Bank. The US are one of 24 members of the board, and have made a statement outlining their view. The UK Government position remains that further action is required to enhance the voice of developing countries in the World Bank and IMF, and we will continue to support discussions in this area with the aim of reaching agreement on institutional and structural measures to enhance that voice.