International Development Questions and I have a go at Hilary Benn over water supply in the developing world.

Norway has withdrawn its funding to the Private Partnership International Advisory Facility because its water projects (which involve introducing private companies into the supply of water) keep failing and it is widely criticised – not surprisingly.

Given that the UK also funds the PPIAF I asked Hilary if we would be following Norway’s lead? Professing no preference for private, state or voluntary providers so long as stuff gets delivered, Hilary did then offer to look into the issue I had raised. Well I hope he does – as the point was exactly that – what is getting delivered for our public money? We wouldn’t want it to be water down the drain – or actually – no water down the drain.