HC Deb 07 July 1999 vol 334 cc544-5W
Mr. Brake

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will place in the Library a copy of the tendering documents which were sent to those companies wishing to seek export credit assistance in respect of the proposed Ilisu Dam. [90122]

Mr. Wilson

The Export Credits Guarantee Department does not require companies seeking export credit assistance to produce the tender document issued by the prospective buyer and therefore no copy is available.

Mr. Baker

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what criteria the Export Credits Guarantee Department will apply in relation to the proposed Ilisu Dam. [90124]

Mr. Wilson

The Export Credits Guarantee Department will employ its normal underwriting criteria, to ensure that the provision of any support which it might give for this project involves an acceptable risk. Part of the underwriting process involves looking, with other Export Credit Agencies, at a range of issues, including the environmental and social aspects of the project. In this case, these include the resettlement of the local population and protection of cultural heritage. ECGD will also consider the economic and political risks involved.

Mr. Baker

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will place in the Library the terms of reference for the report he has commissioned into the proposed Ilisu Dam. [90123]

Mr. Wilson

The terms of reference will be placed in the Library along with the report as soon as it is available.

Mr. Baker

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list those individuals, organisations, other Governments, other United Kingdom Government Departments and public bodies who are to be consulted(a) during the preparation of the report he has commissioned into the proposed Ilisu Dam and (b) before a decision is made to provide assistance in respect of the Dam under the Export and Investment Guarantees Act 1991. [90125]

Mr. Wilson

The Export Credits Guarantee Department (ECGD) is consulting other Government Departments including DTI, DFID, FCO, HMT and DETR, both with regard to the preparation of the report and on the provision of support, and has commissioned work from an international environmental consultancy and an independent social development expert. ECGD is also consulting other export credit agencies including the Swiss, American and German agencies. ECGD has discussed with relevant Turkish Government departments and public bodies.

Mr. Baker

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whom he has commissioned to prepare an independent report into the proposed Ilisu Dam; when the report was commissioned; when he expects it to be finished; and how much it will cost. [90126]

Mr. Wilson

An international environmental consultancy was commissioned to carry out an independent review of the Swiss commissioned Environmental Impact Assessment. Discussions regarding the commissioning of this report commenced in May 1999 and it is expected to be finalised shortly. The estimated cost will be around £5,000.

Additionally, a field study is to be carried out by an independent social development expert to gauge the views of the local population. This report was commissioned in early June 1999. It is hoped that it will be carried out shortly. The estimated cost will be around £20,000.