To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development if he will make a statement an the assistance the Department is providing towards the development of responsible government in Sub-Saharan Africa. [124278]

Supporting African Governments to improve their effectiveness is a priority for DFID and a priority for Africa. As shown by the New Partnership for Africa's Development improving Governments' ability to; maintain security, encourage investment, and formulate sound public and financial policy is essential if poverty is to be reduced.Our support for improved governance includes; assisting country led Poverty Reduction Strategies and supporting civil society to hold governments to account. Our commitments to Africa all reinforce responsible government and totalled £601 million in 2002 they are planned to increase to £1 billion by 2005.