§ Mr. StevensonTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the independent Inspection Panel's findings that the World bank was not in compliance with its policies on environmental assessment in respect of the Qinghai Project. [128732]
§ Mr. FoulkesWe agreed with the World bank management's proposal to carry out further environmental studies following the findings of the Inspection Panel.
Following board discussions on 6 and 7 July, the Chinese Government withdrew its application for funding for the Qinghai component of the project. It now plans to fund those activities itself. There will now be no international involvement in ensuring environmental—and social—standards are adequately met.