§ Mr. Tom ClarkeTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the reply to the hon. Member for Monklands, West on 6 February,Official Report, column 470, (1) if he will name those developing nations which (a) reacted positively and (b) reacted negatively to that part of his Department's private sector development exercise relating specifically to the possibility of Britain offering assistance with the privatisation of nationalised industries;
(2) what were the terms, financial or otherwise, offered to developing countries in exchange for British assistance (a) in the promotion of private sector development and (b) relating directly to the privatisation of nationalised industries; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Chris PattenThe exercise comprised an instruction to British posts in developing countries encouraging closer consultation with their United States counterparts with a view to being able to respond more effectively to developing country needs in relation to private sector development, including privatisation.
§ Mr. Tom ClarkeTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if his Department has had any discussions with(a) bankers, (b) brokers and (c) management consultants concerning the possibility of Britain assisting with the privatisation of developing nations' nationalised industries; and if he will make a statement;
(2) whether officials from his Department have had meetings with representatives of the overseas privatisation unit of NM Rothschild; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. Chris PattenA variety of discussions have taken place over time. It is widely recognised that Britain' private sector has a special expertise in this field.
§ Mr. Tom ClarkeTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has established a unit within his Department to examine the possibility of Britain offering privatisation expertise to developing nations.
§ Mr. Chris PattenI see no reason to establish such a unit. The Overseas Development Administration's arrangements for managing bilateral aid already enable it fully to consider proposals related to all aspects of private sector development including privatisation.
§ Mr. Tom ClarkeTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what has been the cost to date of the exercise undertaken to identify opportunities for assisting developing countries with the promotion of private sector development, including privatisation.
§ Mr. Chris PattenThe exercise has not resulted in significant additional expense. Providing the information requested would involve disproportionate cost, far exceeding any costs which the exercise itself has incurred.
§ Mr. Tom ClarkeTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to conclude agreements with developing countries which would include Her Majesty's Government assisting with the privatisation of nationalised industries; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Chris PattenThere are no immediate plans for the conclusion of such agreements, but we have always made clear that we are ready to consider helping where we can.