Question to the Department for International Development:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what recent discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer to ensure that Official Development Assistance expenditure by other Departments contributes to poverty reduction.

DFID and HMT routinely work on the rules and requirements governing the use of Official Development Assistance (ODA), including the central contribution to poverty reduction through established governance structures such as the ODA Ministerial group and supporting Senior Officials group. Ultimately, Secretaries of State for any Government Department spending ODA under the International Development Act are responsible for ensuring that this spend meets its statutory obligations including ensuring that it is likely to contribute to poverty reduction. All UK ODA must also meet OECD Development Assistance Committee eligibility criteria – that is, ODA must be administered with the promotion of economic development and welfare of developing countries as its main objective.