§ Mrs. ClwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in assessing the regional physical planning programme for transmigration project in Indonesia, what weight his Department attached to(a) concerns about the rights of the people affected by transmigration and the Indonesian Government's attitude to human rights and (b) possible political repercussions. [11647]
§ Dr. Liam FoxThe key consideration underlying our involvement in this World bank project was the developmental benefit to be gained, in the implementation of the transmigration programme, from sound land resource planning as a basis for improved decision making.
§ Mrs. ClwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what were the legal and administrative difficulties involved in the wording of the project agreement with the Indonesian authorities in relation to the regional physical planning programme for transmigration in Indonesia; what were regarded as the sensitivities of the project at the time the extension of the project was approved in 1987; and what legal advice was received by his Department in 1987 regarding the extension of the project. [11648]
§ Dr. FoxThe difficulties related to the question of which agency on each side should be the contracting party to the agreement. While the developmental arguments were in favour of our continued involvement, sensitivities noted at the time of the extension were public perceptions of the transmigration programme, the wider relationship with the Indonesian Government and the World bank and the views of British environmental organisations which regarded our involvement as beneficial. Legal advice was not sought.