HC Deb 06 December 1994 vol 251 c125W
Mr. Campbell-Savours

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many civil servants since 4 May 1979 have left the Export Credits Guarantee Department and have within two years joined companies engaged in contracts with his Department.

Mr. Needham

Since 4 May 1979, 82 civil servants have, following their retirement or resignation from ECGD, obtained prior approval under the civil service rules governing outside business appointments to join companies that have business contacts with the Department.

Mr. Campbell-Savours

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what consideration is given to human rights in the allocation of cover by the Export Credits Guarantee Department.

Mr. Needham

The ECGD's function is to underwrite payment risks associated with capital goods and project exports. A separate export licensing process takes account of broader issues such as the human rights record of overseas Governments. The issue of export licences is the responsibility of the DTI's export licensing unit. ECGD's cover is conditional on export licences being obtained where required.

Mr. Dalyell

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make available a complete list of all payments made under the auspices of the Export Credits Guarantee Department in relation to defence contracts signed from 1979 onwards with(a) Jordan, (b) Saudi Arabia, (c) Oman, (d) Kuwait, (e) Brunei, (f) Malaysia and (g) Indonesia.

Mr. Needham

[holding answer 5 December 1994]: The ECGD's information systems, which reflect the Department's business needs, do not provide such a sectoral analysis. Extracting the data with reasonable accuracy would involve disproportionate expense.

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