Millennium Development Goals

HC Deb 17 March 2004 vol 419 cc374-5W

Ian Stewart

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will include in the Departmental Report for 2004 a statement on(a) the progress made on and (b) the resources invested in the Millennium Development Goal targets for increases in access to drinking water and basic sanitation. [161372]

Hilary Benn

DFID's departmental report 2004 will set out our broad strategy on water and sanitation. It will stress the importance of working with partner governments through their Poverty Reduction Strategies and of providing support to a range of multilateral initiatives. DFID's Water Action Plan published by the Department in March 2004, contains the following central elements: Evidence of the links between water and the other Millennium Development Goals A focus on a number of international partnerships and networks that create coherence and consistency in the water sector The incorporation of water issues into DFID's discussions on water policy with partner countries DFID's programme for action at country, regional and international level

The Water Action Plan also includes a breakdown of the bilateral financial resources invested in the development of water and sanitation services and an explanation of other DFID funding through non-governmental organisations and multilateral partners. Copies are available at www.dfid.gov.uk

Further information detailing financial expenditure on specific sectors is included in Statistics on International Development 1998–99–2002–03,published in October 2003. This also outlines progress made towards the MDG targets for increasing access to water and basic sanitation.

Queries relating to Statistics on International Development should be addressed to: [e-mail]