§ 48. Mr. Dalyellasked the Minister of Overseas Development, further to the Prime Minister's statement, Official Report, 16th January, columns 55–6, if she will make a statement on the outcome of the approaches to British firms concerned with the technology of natural gas as a follow-up to the Prime Minister's discussions on his visit to Pakistan and Bangladesh.
§ Mr. TomlinsonAs regards Pakistan, inquiries of British companies working in the gas field have brought a positive response and our Ambassador in Islamabad has informed the Government of Pakistan of the possibilities of commercial cooperation with such companies in gas development, utilisation and distribution. My officials have also discussed with Pakistan's Oil and Gas Development Corporation the possibility of financing under technical co-operation arrangements a study of the broad strategy for utilising Pakistan's natural gas resources.
In respect of Bangladesh, as my hon. Friend will see from the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Bury St. Edmunds (Mr. Griffiths) on 15th May, we have begun by sending a reconnaissance mission to review the situation with the Bangladesh authorities, to help them 228W prepare an outline plan for the development of their gas industry and to make specific proposals for a phased programme of United Kingdom participation in the more detailed planning and management of the industry—[Vol. 950, c. 23.] When their report is available we shall discuss the matter further with those concerned. In so far as aid funds were involved, we could, of course, provide finance for the services only of firms which were eligible under our normal rules.