HL Deb 16 January 1995 vol 560 c31WA
Lord Redesdale

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What factors influenced their decision in 1990 to give £22 million for a metro project in Turkey which was known to be uneconomic.

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Chalker of Wallasey)

The decision took account of both commercial and political factors.

The key commercial consideration was the potential loss of both the immediate and any potential future contracts in Turkey. The political considerations took account of the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait the previous month and Turkey's positive stance following the invasion.

Lord Redesdale

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the £22 million donation to the Turkish metro project has been paid in full and if not, how much of the Aid and Trade Provision (ATP) funds it has consumed.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

To date £10.6m has been expended from the Aid and Trade Provision on the Ankara Metro Project.