§ Dr. CableTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the impact on the ECGD of the recent decision to extend the number of countries which will be given ECGD cover only for productive expenditure; what contracts have been cancelled as a result of this decision; what plans he has to seek to extend this restriction to all low income countries; and what assessment he has made of the impact on the ECGD of such an extension. [108770]
§ Mr. Caborn[holding answer 7 February 2000]: In view of the volume and nature of business previously supported by ECGD in the affected countries, the recent decision to extend the range of countries for which ECGD cover is available only for productive expenditure is likely to have only a limited impact on ECGD and its customers. No contracts have been cancelled and, as there are no plans at present to extend this restriction to other countries, no assessment of the impact on ECGD of such an extension has been made.