To ask the Secretary of State for International Development which (a) Ministers and (b) officials from his Department will attend the forthcoming Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative Global Conference on establishing resource transparency; what his Department's objectives for the conference are; and if he will make a statement.

[Official Report, 3 February 2009, Vol. 487, c. 1008W.]

Letter of correction from Mr. Michael Foster:

An error has been identified in the written answer given to right hon. Member for Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk (Mr. Moore), Official Report, 3 February 2009. The figures cited for the funds committed to the EITI were incorrect. The correct answer should have been: (252866)

The UK Government have been a leading supporter of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI). DFID has committed over £14 million to EITI and has so far provided over £8 million of this since November 2002. Increasing transparency and knowledge of revenues from the extractive sector empowers citizens to hold Governments to account, so that mismanagement of funds away from sustainable development purposes becomes more difficult. In line with the EITI Global Conference’s objectives, we will work with other stakeholders to take stock of EITI’s progress; to address the challenges which EITI faces; to consider the next steps for taking forward the initiative.

The composition of the UK’s delegation to the EITI Global Conference is yet to be finalised.