Written question asked by Caroline Spelman (Conservative) on Monday, 27 January 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 30 January 2003. It was answered by Clare Short (Labour) on Thursday, 30 January 2003 on behalf of the Department for International Development.

Dept for International Development

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will make a statement on the abolition of the Europe Development Council.

Answer: Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the abolition of the Europe Development Council. [94563] Clare Short:: I was not in favour of the abolition of the Development Council, which had been useful in promoting reforms of EC development co-operation, in adopting a more coherent development policy framework and in pressing the case for an increase in the poverty focus of EC aid. The June 2002 Seville European Council decided to streamline the functioning of the Council in the run-up to enlargement and reduced Council groupings from 16 to 9 and thus abolished the development Council. There are opportunities with the new General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) for more discussions on development at monthly meetings. I have been working to maintain a strategic approach to development issues as established by the Development Council. In particular, I have been pushing for at least two strategic GAERC meetings per year focusing on development--one forward looking and one to assess progress. I will continue to press hard to ensure development is given due weight in the new configuration and will seek to ensure appropriate UK ministerial attendance to debate development issues.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 94563; 398 c972-3W;398 c966-7W
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Developing countries Development aid EU action EU aid EC Development Council
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk