§ Norman BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps she is taking to encourage the Chinese authorities to undertake social and environmental impact assessments in connection with the proposed west-east pipeline from Xinjiang to Shanghai. [7085]
§ Nigel GriffithsWe take advantage of every relevant Ministerial visit, both inward and outward, to encourage the Chinese Government to take the social and980W environmental aspects of any major project into account. My right hon. Friend the Minister for Sport highlighted this in connection with the proposed West-East pipeline project, to the Vice Chairmen of both the State Development and Planning Commission and State Economic and Trade Commission when he was in China in February.
My right hon. Friend the Minister for Industry and Energy, will stress the importance of the issue when he visits China later this month.