HC Deb 11 December 1992 vol 215 cc810-1W
Mr. Worthington

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has on the number of arrests which have occurred in India since 23 October in connection with the Narmada dam project.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

We understand that a number of arrests were made in Bombay on 14 November following a demonstration involving members of a local non-government organisation. We understand that all those arrested were released on 17 November.

Mr. Worthington

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what British financial or industrial development there is in the Narmada dam project in India.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

There have been no construction contracts awarded to British firms. One consultancy contract was awarded to Mott MacDonald for a ground water study in 1983.

Mr. Worthington

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs following the recent continuation by the World bank of the Narmada dam project, how the British Government will satisfy themselves that adequate consultation with local people has been held, to avoid violations of the rights of tribal or other affected people.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

The Government's commitment to a resolution of the problems identified in an independent review of the Narmada projects, is demonstrated by our decision to provide up to £1 million of technical co-operation funds to finance work which is aimed at attempting to ensure that the performance benchmarks agreed by the World bank and the Indian authorities are met in full.

As our executive director said at the October board meeting, we believe that, unless there is full and constructive consultation with the people to be affected by the projects, the benchmarks will not be met.

Mr. Worthington

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what attention to past and future human rights questions were considered by the independent review of the Narmada dam project in India.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

That is not a matter for Her Majesty's Government. The report has been published.