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27 Jan 2003 : Column 572W—continued
Alternative Crop Projects
Dr. Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she has had with her EU counterparts regarding damage to alternative crop projects funded by EU, following fumigation with pesticides by United States helicopters. [92630]
Clare Short : I have held discussions with my European Union colleagues how to reduce production of illegal narcotics in developing countries by providing viable alternative livelihood opportunities for producing farmers. I have not specifically discussed damage to European Commission-funded alternative crop projects from fumigation with pesticides, or any other sources
27 Jan 2003 : Column 573W
Colombia
Dr. Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what progress has been made with the EU contribution to Plan Colombia. [92631]
Clare Short: The EU supports the efforts of the Colombian Government to put an end to the violence affecting the country. However, the EU does not contribute to Plan Colombia because it has reservations about some aspects of the plan and it does not support with aid any initiative with a military dimension.
In October 2000 the EU announced an aid package of euros 140 million towards the support of ongoing Colombian activities in the search for peace, targeting the roots and causes of the conflict and providing humanitarian assistance to the victims of the conflict.
Entertainment
Mr. Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the estimate is of the total spending of her Department in all forms of entertainment in each year from 1994–95 to 2002–03; and if she will make a statement. [92404]
Clare Short: The following table shows recorded DFID spending from the running cost budget on entertainment for the years in question, to the nearest £000.
| Year | £ |
|---|---|
| 1994–95 | 7,000 |
| 1995–96 | 9,000 |
| 1996–97 | 10,000 |
| 1997–98 | 24,000 |
| 1998–99 | 43,000 |
| 1999–2000 | 62,000 |
| 2000–01 | 48,000 |
| 2001–02 | 55,000 |
| 2002–03(11) | 74,000 |
(11) Estimated
For the earlier years some expenditure may not have been separately recorded.
All expenditure on official entertainment is made in accordance with published departmental guidance on financial procedures and propriety, based on the principles set out in Government Accounting.
Ethiopia
Mr. Connarty: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps her Department is taking to secure resources to assist rural investment in Ethiopia and prevent future food crises. [91682]
Clare Short: One of the priorities for our assistance programme in Ethiopia is to help address the roots of food insecurity. This means looking at long-term approaches to reducing poverty and vulnerability—such as promoting broad-based economic growth, market development and rural roads. We are working with other bilateral and multilateral donors to achieve this whilst continuing to respond to short-term humanitarian demands.
27 Jan 2003 : Column 574W
Mr. Connarty: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps her Department is taking to secure international commitment to increased interim aid for Ethiopia. [91683]
Clare Short: We are committed to long-term partnership with Ethiopia, which includes support to addressing the underlying causes of food insecurity. In addition, we continue to play our part in providing humanitarian assistance, including food aid when necessary. We plan to substantially increase our development budget for Ethiopia over the next three years. Whilst doing this, we are in agreement with the Government of Ethiopia that donors should harmonise their efforts to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of development assistance.
John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the humanitarian situation in Ethiopia. [92512]
Clare Short: The humanitarian situation in Ethiopia is a matter of great concern. However, we consider that the Government of Ethiopia, donors and NGOs are coordinating their response well to ensure that this does not become a crisis.
As always we remain committed to playing our part in the international response. During 2002 we committed £32.3 million to food and non-food humanitarian assistance. This included £15 million for food aid to be distributed by the World Food Programme in late January and February 2003.
Mrs. Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when her Department intends to move to direct budget support for Ethiopia. [92860]
Clare Short: During my visit to Ethiopia last week, along with the Ethiopian Finance Minister, I signed a Memorandum of Understanding covering the long-term development partnership between the UK and Government of Ethiopia to tackle poverty. The Memorandum indicates that we plan to provide at least 60 million of direct budget support over the next three years. We expect to disburse the first 10 million of this within the next month.
Mrs. Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much of her Department's budget for Ethiopia will be disbursed by (a) direct budget support and (b) NGOs (i) as a proportion of her Department's assistance to Ethiopia and (ii) by value. [92861]
Clare Short: We currently expect development programme spending in Ethiopia, where the total will be split approximately two-thirds direct budget support and one-third technical assistance. We will continue to do some work with civil society and local and international NGOs where this can help deliver our poverty reduction objectives.
On current plans we hope to commit at least 60 million on direct budget support and 30 million on technical cooperation over the next three years. In addition to the development programme spending a proportion of our humanitarian assistance will also continue to be provided through NGOs.
27 Jan 2003 : Column 575W
External Consultants
Mr. Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much (a) her Department and (b) each agency and non-departmental public body spent on external consultancy in each year from 1995–96 to 2002–03 (planned); and if she will make a statement. [92252]
Clare Short: DFID expenditure on consultancies from the development programme since 1995–96 is given in the table:
| Year | £ million |
|---|---|
| 1995–96 | 143 |
| 1996–97 | 161 |
| 1997–98 | 204 |
| 1998–99 | 199 |
| 1999–2000 | 198 |
| 2000–01 | 209 |
| 2001–02 | (12)198 |
(12) Expenditure is understated due to the move to Resource Accounting. DFID issued contracts valued at £302 million.
The figures for agencies/Non Departmental Public bodies are not held centrally and it would require disproportionate cost to obtain them.
Figures for planned expenditure on external consultancy are not available. DFID has issued contracts from 1 April 2002 to date, valued at £222 million.
Fraud and Theft
Mr. Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much money has been lost by her Department and its agencies and non-departmental public bodies through (a) fraud and (b) theft in each year since 1996–97. [92481]
Clare Short: The estimated cost to DFID's budget of theft and fraud in the period 1April 1996 to 31 March 2002 is some £367,000 of which £207,000 can be attributed to contractor fraud. Of the remaining sum, £129,000 relates to the theft of assets and misappropriation of cash, which in line with Treasury guidance has been classified as involving departmental staff either directly or through collusion. Details of suspected or proven fraud are provided to the Treasury on an annual basis. The annual report that the Treasury prepares on fraud is deposited in the Libraries of both Houses.
Health and Safety
Mrs. Helen Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether her Department and its agencies have met the commitment arising from Action Point 13 of the June 2000 Strategy statement on revitalising health and safety to summarise health and safety performance and plans in annual reports from the year 2000–01 onwards. [89487]
Clare Short: My Department will meet the commitment in its forthcoming Departmental Annual Report covering performance in the calendar year 2002. We have no agencies.
27 Jan 2003 : Column 576W
Mrs. Helen Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development which senior officials within her Department and its agencies take responsibility for health and safety at board or equivalent level; and where their names are publicised. [89488]
Clare Short: My Department's Health and Safety Policy (which is agreed with the trade unions and published in its Staff Handbook, on its Departmental Intranet site and elsewhere) contains the following:
- "The Permanent Secretary recognises and accepts responsibility for providing a safe and healthy workplace and working environment for all staff and will take all practicable steps to meet that responsibility."
Clare Short : I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to her by the Minister for Work on 20 January, Official Report, columns 85–86W. Within my Department the requirements of the checklist will be reflected in any future revision of our Health and Safety Policy and structured health and safety management systems.
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