Written question asked by Baroness Tonge (Liberal Democrat) on Friday, 26 January 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 31 January 2001. It was answered by John Battle (Labour) on Wednesday, 31 January 2001 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on the management of United Nations Drugs Control Programme funds.

Answer: Dr. Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the management of United Nations Drugs Control Programme funds. [148058] Mr. Battle: We have, with a number of other donors, raised concerns about UNDCP programme management. In light of recent press reporting on this issue, I wrote to Mr. Arlacchi on 23 January seeking his assurance that UK contributions have been managed properly and used effectively, and encouraging early progress towards a more transparent system of project management and evaluation. In his reply of 24 January, Mr. Arlacchi assured me that he had invited a management audit of the UNDCP by the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services in New York, and that UK funds had been properly managed. In response to requests from donor countries, Mr. Arlacchi has also produced a paper on management reform which we and other donors are studying.

Secondary information