§ Lord Aveburyasked Her Majesty's Government:
What instructions have been given to the United Kingdom representatives on the board of the World Bank on how they are to speak and vote at the meeting on 6th February at which the board will have before it a complaint from Subrevivencia on behalf of Paraguayan citizens who allegedly suffered material harm as a result of the World Bank's failure to observe its own guidelines in the preparation and execution of the Yacyreta Project, and whether they will place in the Library a copy of the inspection panel's report and recommendation that there should be a full investigation into the claim.
§ Baroness Chalker of WallaseyThe UK executive director on the World Bank board considers individual project proposals submitted to the board on their merits, taking account of the policies, procedures and operational guidelines of the bank; and of the objectives and views of ODA. Under the rules of the board, the positions of individual chairs on any vote are confidential.
At an informal meeting on 6th February, the World Bank board discussed the request for the independent inspection panel to conduct an investigation into the alleged failure of the bank to follow its operational policies and procedures in the case of the Yacyreta Hydroelectric Project. This will be discussed further at a formal meeting to be held shortly at which a decision on next steps will be taken. The report and recommendations of the inspection panel will be made publicly available within two weeks of a formal decision by the board.