§ Mr. CorbynTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what environmental considerations are taken into account when capital development loans are agreed either directly or through multilateral agencies.
§ Mr. Chris PattenThe environmental factors needing consideration vary depending on the nature of the project being supported and its proposed location. In our bilateral programmes project managers are required to operate in accordance with written guidance and a checklist, which I shall send to the hon. Member. The guidance is currently being reviewed.612W Multilateral agencies are responsible for appraising their own proposed investments. Her Majesty's Government have made it clear to the management of those to which we belong that we expect them to take full account of environmental factors, and to have operational guidelines for their staff and consultants. We will continue to monitor their practices in this regard.