HC Deb 14 May 1999 vol 331 cc226-7W
Mr. McNamara

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the proposal for Her Majesty's Government to support the construction of the Ilisu Dam in Turkey meets the criteria of the Government's ethical foreign policy. [83920]

Ms Quin

No decision has yet been taken on the provision of export credit cover for the Ilisu Dam project. In assessing the arguments whether or not to provide export credit cover, we and other Government Departments are examining carefully all aspects of the project's potential impact. We will examine in particular the likely environmental impact, the issue of resettlement of local communities, the riparian rights of neighbouring states, and the impact on the region's cultural heritage, as well as any likely economic and social benefits the project may bring about.

Mr. McNamara

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when his Department was first informed by the Department of Trade and Industry of its proposal to support the construction of the Ilisu Dam in Turkey. [83945]

Ms Quin

The Export Credits Guarantee Department first informed the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the application for export credit cover in respect of the proposed contract to build the Ilisu Dam on 12 January 1999.

Mr. McNamara

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Government of Syria and the Government of Jordan, representing Iraq, on the proposals of the Government of Turkey to construct the Ilisu Dam. [83921]

Ms Quin

The State Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Syrian Arab Republic raised the issue of the Ilisu Dam project with our Ambassador to Damascus on 4 March.

We have had no discussions with the Government of Jordan on this issue.