§ Mr. DafisTo ask the Prime Minister what responses Her Majesty's Government intends to make to the World bank's call for greater multilateral investment to be made in the world's poorer countries to improve the environment.
§ The Prime MinisterThe Government broadly agree with the analysis in the 1992 world development report published by the World bank last month. This suggests that the bulk of the investments required to meet the costs of a better environment will be paid for by the customers of the private and public enterprises responsible for the damage and by the beneficiaries of improved environmental conditions.
The World bank notes that Governments will have to spend more too, primarily from increased domestic savings; but that international finance, private and official, will also have a crucial role. Britain intends to participate fully in the replenishments of the multilateral funds which will help to provide developing countries with the necessary resources.