Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what post-legislative scrutiny his Department has carried out on the effectiveness of the Debt Relief (Developing Countries) Act 2010.

In 2011, HM Treasury consulted on the impact of the Debt Relief Act 2010 with representatives from key stakeholders, such as the financial services sector, Heavily Indebted Poor Countries and civil society. This evidence suggested the Act had benefitted Heavily Indebted Poor Countries and there was no evidence of unintended consequences. The previous government therefore made the Act permanent.

By continuing to prohibit costly and unfair legal action against Heavily Indebted Poor Countries, the legislation continues to play a valuable role. According to the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, litigation by creditors against Heavily Indebted Poor Countries remains an ongoing issue in other jurisdictions without such protections.