Written question asked by Austin Mitchell (Labour) on Monday, 8 May 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 15 May 2000. It was answered by Clare Short (Labour) on Monday, 15 May 2000 on behalf of the Department for International Development.

Dept for International Development

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what is the remit of the Community Humanitarian Aid Office; what public reports it has issued; and what are the (a) percentage and (b) total of United Kingdom Overseas Development funds that are channelled through the European Union. - Includes figures and ref to ECHO website (http://europa.eu.int/comm/echo/index.html).

Answer: Mr. Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what is the remit of the European Community Humanitarian Aid Office; what public reports it has issued; and what are the (a) percentage and (b) total of United Kingdom Overseas Development funds that are channelled through the European Union. [121637] Clare Short: The European Community Humanitarian Office (ECHO) is mandated to provide humanitarian assistance to people outside the European Union, particularly in developing countries, who are affected by natural disasters or man-made crises. Since 1993 ECHO has published an Annual Report, periodic information updates (ECHO News and ECHO Files) and special reports on particular aspects of its activities such as disaster preparedness. A full list of current publications is available on the ECHO website (http://europa.eu.int/comm/echo/index.html). Some 30 per cent. of UK development funds are currently channelled through the EC. In 1998-99 (the latest year for which confirmed figures are available), the total DFID contribution to EC external spending was approximately £706 million.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 121637; 350 c13W
Session: 1999-00
Subjects: Development aid Finance Humanitarian aid Publications European Community Humanitarian Office
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk