HC Deb 05 July 2000 vol 353 cc320-1
6. Mr. David Chaytor (Bury, North)

If she will make a statement on the proposed Chad-Cameroon oil pipeline project. [127742]

The Secretary of State for International Development (Clare Short)

The World Bank is supporting Chad and Cameroon to build a pipeline to take Chad's oil to the Atlantic coast. Chad and Cameroon are both very poor countries. We believe that the World Bank's involvement in the project will help to ensure that measures will be taken to protect the environment and that the benefits of the development will reach the poor.

Mr. Chaytor

I thank my right hon. Friend for that reply. Does she agree that, in the long-term, it is far less likely that the exploitation of fossil fuels will bring prosperity to countries such as Chad and Cameroon, and that the World Bank should consider more seriously the development of renewable energy, the potential for which those countries have in abundance? Can she assure the House that she will use her influence at the board of the World Bank to give greater attention to renewable energy projects in future?

Clare Short

No, I do not agree with my hon. Friend. I agree that renewable energy—solar energy—is very important for the future of humanity and will bring benefits to countries with lots of sun. Chad is one of the poorest countries in the world, but it has substantial oil reserves. Of course Chad must be allowed to exploit those oil reserves, and the World Bank's involvement will ensure that that is done responsibly and that the poor benefit from that. That must be right. I support renewable energy, but Chad has a right to exploit its oil.

Mr. Bowen Wells (Hertford and Stortford)

Will the Secretary of State tell the House what contribution the Prime Minister's initiative group at the Department for International Development makes to the proposed Chad-Cameroon oil pipeline project? [Interruption.]

Clare Short

I did not fully hear the hon. Gentleman; there is an awful lot of noise in the Chamber, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker

Order. Conversations are much too noisy. The House must come to order. I cannot hear, neither can Ministers. Secretary of State, did you hear the question correctly? Will the hon. Gentleman repeat the question? [Interruption.] Order. We cannot hear. Repeat the question.

Mr. Wells

Will the Secretary of State tell the House what contribution the Prime Minister's initiative group at the Department for International Development makes to the proposed Chad-Cameroon oil pipeline project?

Clare Short

My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister's initiative involves working with the private sector to use information technology in various countries, especially those in Africa, to improve teacher education to meet our primary education objective and to ensure that an educated group of people has access to the new technologies. It is too soon to say whether Chad will benefit, but we are currently reviewing whether we can drive that forward and which countries will benefit. I am very hopeful that Rwanda will benefit, and I am sure that the hon. Gentleman will share my pleasure at that.