§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will make a statement on the(a) objectives and (b) results of the (i) Mediterranean and (ii) Middle East projects on information and communication that were financed by EU development assistance in 2002; and what his Department's involvement in the projects was. [165204]
§ Hilary BennThese projects are being implemented by the European Commission under their MEDA ("Mésures d'Accompagnement") programme, which is the principal financial instrument of the European Union for providing technical and financial support to accompany the reform of economic and social structures in Mediterranean partner countries. DFID is involved through having attributed to our budget the UK's contribution to MEDA, (which in 2002 amounted to around 19 per cent. of the total), and through our being consulted by the EC as it develops its individual country strategies and spending proposals. Implementation of individual projects (including procurement) is the responsibility of the Commission.
When considering Commission funding proposals, DFID takes a wide range of factors into consideration, including likely impact, cost-effectiveness and value for money. Many of the 2002 projects are still in the early stages of implementation. An assessment of the projects, and production of final spending figures, will only be possible once they have been completed.