HC Deb 14 June 1978 vol 951 c562W
Mr. McNamara

asked the Minister of Overseas Development on how many occasions in 1978 the British Government's Director abstained or cast a negative vote on loan applications put before the executive of the World Bank; and if he will list the applicants concerned and the purposes of the loan.

Mrs. Hart

It is exceptional for a vote to be taken in the World Bank Executive Board when loan applications are considered, and there have been no such occasions in 1978. However, the United Kingdom director stated in March that if a vote had been called for he would have opposed a loan application from Paraguay for highway construction, and in April that he would have abstained from voting on a loan application from Ethiopia for grain storage and marketing facilities.

Mr. McNamara

asked the Minister of Overseas Development if the British Director at the World Bank abstained or cast a negative vote in the recent loan application to the World Bank for $23 million for telecommunication development by the Government of El Salvador; and what were the reasons for the British Government's action.

Mrs. Hart

No vote on this matter was called for in the Executive Board of the World Bank.

Back to
Forward to