§ 52. Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to assist British firms to obtain orders in connection with the CahoraBassa hydro-electric and irrigation scheme on the Zambesi in Mozambique.
§ Mr. DarlingI understand that the Portuguese authorities have not yet decided whether to go ahead with this project. The full range of services of the Board of Trade is, of course, available to British firms interested in this scheme, as it is to all British firms negotiating export contracts.
§ Mr. Biggs-DavisonIs it not true that the World Bank is willing to participate in this scheme, and if it goes through will it not provide immense opportunities for British exporters? Will the Government allow no ideological considerations to stand in the way of promoting British trade?
§ Mr. DarlingI understand that a British group which is interested in the scheme has been in touch with the Board of Trade and the Export Credits Guarantee Department, and, on the last point that the hon. Gentleman made, the Foreign Office too. I hope that if this scheme goes ahead it will be a British company which gets the contract.