Written question asked by Lord Blencathra (Conservative) on Tuesday, 9 March 1999, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 16 March 1999. It was answered by Clare Short (Labour) on Tuesday, 16 March 1999 on behalf of the Department for International Development.

Dept for International Development

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his Answer to the honourable Member for Leicester South of 5th March 1999, 326 c940-42W, on the General Affairs Council, for what reasons funds from the Russian TACIS programme were transferred to the European Community Humanitarian Office; and if the issue of fraud was raised in the course of this stage of deliberations.

Answer: Mr. Maclean: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Leicester, South (Mr. Marshall) of 5 March 1999, Official Report, column 940-42, on the General Affairs Council, for what reasons funds from the Russian TACIS programme were transferred to the European Community Humanitarian Office; and if the issue of fraud was raised in the course of this stage of deliberations. [76368] Clare Short: I have been asked to reply. TACIS is a technical assistance programme wherever this European Community Humanitarian Office (ECHO) provides emergency humanitarian relief. However, the need in this particular case was for emergency assistance. Transferring funds from TACIS to ECHO is the best way to address these needs while at the same time respecting overall budgetary ceilings. There has been no suggestion of fraud in discussion of the transfer.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 327 c621W; 76368
Session: 1998-99
Subjects: Humanitarian aid EU action Russia EU Foreign Affairs Council TACIS programme European Community Humanitarian Office