§ The Earl of Sandwich asked Her Majesty's Government:
§ In which sub-Saharan African heavily indebted poor countries are civil society groups and parliaments playing a significant role in poverty reduction strategies and in monitoring the impact of debt relief payments. [HL3262]
§ The Lord President of the Council (Baroness Amos):In order to qualify for debt relief under the heavily indebted poor countries (HIPC) initiative, governments lead participatory processes to develop poverty reduction strategy papers (PRSPs), involving civil society and the international community. To date, parliaments have not played a significant role in these processes, but there are increasing signs of parliamentary interest and involvement. DfID supports this development because the PRSP approach ensures that the money saved from debt servicing is spent on health, education and other development projects.
§ Of the 23 sub-Saharan African countries that have qualified for the HIPC initiative, 19 countries (Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Ethiopia, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia) all have full PRSPs in place. The remaining four countries (Democratic Republic of Congo, Sierra Leone, Guinea Bissau and Sao Tome and Principe) have presented interim PRSPs to the World Bank and IMF boards.