HC Deb 19 April 2004 vol 420 cc405-6W
Mr. Bercow

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the published objectives were of the(a) democracy and human rights, (b) international fishing agreements and (c) bananas ACP projects that were financed on the general Commission budget in 2002; what his Department's involvement in them was; what results they achieved; and what assessment he has made of their value for money. [165171]

Mr. Gareth Thomas

Detailed descriptions of the objectives of individual projects are given as part of the "Final adoption of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2002", published in theOfficial Journal of the European Communities on 31 January 2002 (volume 45 L29). A copy of this is available in the parliamentary library or via the Commission website at http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/en/ archive/2002/1_02920020131en.html. Chapters relevant to the question can be found on the following pages: Human Rights pp. 1309; fishing agreements pp. 1314; Assistance to ACP banana producers pp. 1340. Funding for projects financed in 2002 may have been allocated in earlier years.

DFID comments on the Commission's future budget proposals for the Democracy and Human Rights and Assistance to ACP banana producers budget lines, through the annual budget negotiation process led by HM Treasury. Matters relating to international fishing agreements are the concern of the Department for Rural Affairs. In considering proposals from the Commission a number of factors are taken into account including cost effectiveness.

The EC Human Rights and Democracy initiative resulted in funding contributions for 33 specific projects in 2002. Details of these can be found on the Commission's website at: http://europa.eu.int/comm/europeaid/proiects/ eidhr/projects_2002_targeted en.htm#701.

In addition further funding was provided from this budget line for specific projects carried out by non-governmental organisations working in the field of democracy and human rights.

Expenditure on Assistance to ACP Banana producers resulted in continued financial support to 12 traditional ACP suppliers under the special framework of assistance established in 1999. Projects included support for improving competitiveness and encouragement for diversification in countries where banana production is no longer considered profitable.

An assessment of the value for money will only be possible once the projects have been completed. The EC is best placed to carry out value for money assessments for individual budget lines through its own performance monitoring mechanisms.