§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to her answer of 27 November 1997,Official Report, column 645, what is the Government's policy concerning the underwriting of defence equipment sales to the Government of Algeria by the ECGD; and what measures have been taken for the recovery of the £97.8 million not yet recovered. [20569]
§ Mrs. BeckettThere is currently no medium term or short term ECGD cover for defence equipment sales to Algeria. ECGD medium term and short term cover is primarily available for sales of equipment to Oil and Gas Sector. Recovery of amounts owed to ECGD in respect of military and civil sales is being made through debt rescheduling agreements signed following multilateral negotiations between Algeria and its major creditors under the auspices of the Paris Club.