HC Deb 12 November 1990 vol 180 cc50-1W
37. Mr. Amess

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made towards establishing the European bank for reconstruction and development following the recent London conference of prospective members.

Mrs. Chalker

Good progress was made at the October conference on draft operating regulations, rules of procedure and the framework for a business plan. The next conference is in January, after the missions to eastern Europe by the president-designate and his team. The new bank has good temporary headquarters in London, and negotiations are in hand for a long-term headquarters building. I hope that the bank will start operations next spring.