HC Deb 11 May 1999 vol 331 cc85-6W
Mr. Dafis

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps his Department and the ECGD have

taken to investigate the matters highlighted in the independent study of the Ilisu Dam project commissioned by the Swiss Government. [82712]

Mr. Wilson

[holding answer 10 May 1999]: ECGD are involved in continuing discussions with other Export Credit Agencies, the commercial parties and the authors of the Reports about these matters. They are also consulting experts in the UK.

Mr. Dafis

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will place in the Library copies of(a) the environmental impact assessment produced in 1998 in connection with the Ilisu Dam project in Turkey, (b) the independent study subsequently commissioned in respect of the project by the Swiss Government, (c) the minutes of the meetings of the Export Credits Guarantee Department at which the environmental and social impact of the project was discussed and (d) the current procedures of the Export Credits Guarantee Department for assessing the environmental impact of projects it supports, and for raising awareness of these issues among its customers. [82711]

Mr. Wilson

[holding answer 10 May 1999]: The Environmental Impact Assessment Report and the independent study commissioned by the Swiss government in respect of the Ilisu project in Turkey are not our documents and can be made available only with the consent of the owners. I understand that it is the intention to make available the Environmental Impact Assessment Report once the contract has been awarded, and I will ensure that a copy is placed in the Library of the House. Minutes of ECGD meetings are not disclosed for reasons of commercial confidentiality.

Consistent with the Government's policy on the environment, the Export Credits Guarantee Department (ECGD) is supporting multilateral moves in the OECD to establish common principles, to be adopted by Export Credit Agencies, to take account of environmental factors in export credits. ECGD takes account of environmental factors, particularly in its assessment of large project finance cases, and is undertaking further work, in consultation with environmental consultants and its customers, to determine the best means of further enhancing its policy and procedures, and of raising the awareness of UK exporters, investors and overseas buyers on its approach to environmental issues. Relevant documents will be placed in the Library of the House when this process is complete. It would be premature for me to make a statement at this point in time.