§ 20. Sir Fergus MontgomeryTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions have taken place with the Government of Malaysia on United Kingdom-Malaysian relations.
§ Mr. GoodladI visited Malaysia from 1 to 5 April and was able to see at first hand that our relations with Malaysia are excellent. I met the Minister of Finance, Mr. Anwar Ibrahim—who had himself visited the United Kingdom earlier this year—and had wide-ranging discussions with him and a number of his ministerial colleagues. I also visited the free trade zone in Penang and the Forestry Research Institute of Malaysia.
§ Sir Fergus MontgomeryIs it not important that British firms should try to secure contracts in respect of the new Kuala Lumpur airport? What are the Government doing to assist?
§ Mr. GoodladMy hon. Friend is absolutely right. There is plenty of scope for British firms to increase British business in Malaysia; the new planned airport at Sepang is an important example of that. In February, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister offered up to £42 million-worth of grant finance to be used in association with export credits and contracts that may be awarded to British companies of up to £120 million-worth of United Kingdom goods and services for the planned new airport. Any firm commitment will be subject to the usual appraisal procedures and contacts with our Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development partners in line with internationally agreed rules on the provision of tied aid. I very much hope that our companies will be successful.
§ Mr. DalyellAs the Minister said that he visited the forestry institute, what did it say about the rate of logging and the truction of rain forest in Sabah and Sarawak Wand on the Malaysian mainland?
§ Mr. GoodladNothing, Madam Speaker.