§ Lord Hyltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Why the Export Credits Guarantee Department is assessing the Ilisu dam project in Turkey, when it has already been turned down by the World Bank; and whether the Department of Trade and Industry is supporting the application by a British company. [HL1430]
§ The Minister of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Simon of Highbury)The Export Credits Guarantee Department's role is to provide support to UK exporters of goods and services in respect of exports of capital goods and projects overseas. It is considering the request for support from a UK company, in accordance with its normal procedures. It is not the case that the World Bank has refused financing support for the Ilisu dam project, since its support has not been requested.
In assessing this application, ECGD has been working with the other export credit agencies and companies involved to ensure that the environmental and social impact which the project has on the region is mitigated. This is a good example of companies and export credit 158WA agencies working together to ensure that projects are carried out with due regard to the local environment.
§ Lord Hyltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
What advice they have received concerning
- (a) possible increased international tension and
- (b) environmental impact, resulting from the proposed Ilisu dam in Turkey. [HL1431]
§ Lord Simon of HighburyStudies have been produced to consider the political and environmental implications of this project. We shall continue to work with the authorities in other countries from which contractors are involved in this project, and with the companies themselves, to ensure that all the issues are properly addressed.
A large amount of work has been done already—a full Environmental Impact Assessment has been carried out, followed by a further study. More analysis will be required to enable the project's implementation to be fully managed and monitored.