§ Mr. PaiceTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much aid has been provided by(a) the UK and (b) the EU to the Maldives Government in each of the last three years. [172053]
§ Hilary BennThe information is as follows:
(a) UK bilateral assistance to the Maldives totalled £286,000 in 2000–01, £83,000 in 2001–02 and £195,000 in 2002–03. Data for 2003–04 is not available yet for publication. UK assistance is part of the Small Grants Scheme, administered locally by the High Commission on behalf of DFID for poverty alleviation. Funds go mainly to small projects and institutions.
(b) The European Union has given no aid to the Maldives government in 2000 and 2001. Data for 2002 and 2003 are not yet published.