---

Dept for International Development

Answer

Alan Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will end the arrangement which places the Implementation Secretariat of the Andhra Pradesh state's Public Enterprises Department under the control of the Adam Smith Institute. [178608] Mr. Gareth Thomas: The Implementation Secretariat is responsible for taking forward the Government of Andhra Pradesh's public enterprise reform programme. It has always been under the control of the state government, and is headed by an Andhra Pradesh government official. The Implementation Secretariat reviews the options for state enterprises, and recommends their closure, restructuring or sale; it then implements the state government's decision. Adam Smith International (ASI) won a competitive tender to provide advisory and administrative support to the Government of Andhra Pradesh. In the first stage, as well as providing consultancy advice, ASI also engaged the local consulting firms and staff for the Implementation Secretariat. In 2003, the Implementation Secretariat itself took over these administrative responsibilities. DFID is discussing its programme, including assistance to public enterprise reform, with the new government, to ensure that it reflects their priorities and makes the most effective contribution to their efforts to tackle poverty.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

178608; 422 c801W

Session

2003-04

Subjects

Contracts Business Development aid Advisory services India Poverty Politics and government Adam Smith Institute

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk