Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that Prosperity Fund expenditure by his Department meets the legal basis for ODA spending as set out in the International Development Act 2002.

The legal underpinning of the Prosperity Fund is the International Development Act (2002). Activity supported by the fund is primarily focussed on achieving growth outcomes for the partner country and the design of any potential Official Development Assistance (ODA) spending through the fund must meet this requirement. The Department for International Trade does not at present spend Prosperity Fund money, however should the Department start spending ODA, it will follow legal advice to ensure it meets the stipulations of the act.