HC Deb 12 January 1976 vol 903 cc24-5
26. Mr. Hooley

asked the Minister for Overseas Development what steps are being taken to follow up paragraphs 19 to 22 of the White Paper concerning co-operation with oil-rich countries.

The Minister for Overseas Development (Mr. Reg Prentice)

We maintain regular contact with Arab funds on co-operation in the development of poorer countries, both in the Middle East and elsewhere. Joint projects with several funds are already under way or at an advanced stage of negotiation.

Co-operation with the oil-producing countries in their own plans for development takes many forms and involves a number of different Government Departments and public sector institutions as well as my own.

Mr. Hooley

That answer is welcome, but does my right hon. Friend think that there might be a case for some institutional arrangements between the countries of Western Europe and the oil-producing countries to examine large-scale schemes in which technology on one side and resources on the other can be matched?

Mr. Prentice

We have a development division in the Middle East that is handling contacts both with the multilateral Arab funds and with the Arab funds. Whether there should be a European dimension to this is something to which I should like to give further consideration.

Mr. Michael Marshall

Will the right hon. Gentleman say what his Department is doing to follow up the references to feasibility studies in the White Paper, particularly given the standing of British consultants—engineering and management—in the Middle East? Does he see any role for his Department in helping some of those consultants to get a share of the feasibility studies for the less well-to-do countries, through Arab money?

Mr. Prentice

Once a feasibility study has been carried out and it leads to positive development it is open to British firms to compete on equal terms. Many of them do win contracts on their merits as a result of such developments.