HL Deb 13 March 2002 vol 632 cc79-80WA
Baroness Rawlings

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will compensate those farmers and other small businesses whose investment and support have been cut as a result of their policy of partially privatizing the Commonwealth Development Corporation. [HL 3119]

Baroness Amos

CDC has sold some agricultural investments as ongoing businesses to other owners, well placed to develop these businesses further. These disposals have been done in a socially responsible manner.

Baroness Rawlings

asked Her Majesty's Government:

In which countries the Commonwealth Development Corporation (CDC) offices have been shut down since the CDC was partially privatised. [HL3120]

Baroness Amos

No part of CDC has been privatised. Since its transformation to a public limited company in 1999, CDC has closed offices in Peru, Trinidad, Jamaica, Uganda, Malawi, Bangladesh, Philippines and Fiji. CDC continues to manage existing investments and look for new investment opportunities in these countries from neighbouring regional offices.

Baroness Rawlings

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the levels of private investment resulting from the partial sell-off of the Commonwealth Development Corporation have generated significant levels of private investment for Africa. [HL3121]

Baroness Amos

CDC was tranformed in 1999 into a public limited company which as yet remains wholly government-owned.