§ Ann ClwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action he is taking to ensure that those people who will be displaced by the Ilisu Dam project in Turkey will be consulted beforehand. [124180]
§ Mr. CabornThe process of consultation of the local population, by consultants appointed by the Project Owner DSI, commenced in December 1999 and this process is continuing. We await the production of a Resettlement Action plan.
In order to provide additional professional assistance to DSI in the planning of resettlement and compensation, the Swiss Export Credit Agency, as the leader of the eight agencies involved of which the UK is one, has recruited Dr. Ayse Kudat for an initial period of two years. Dr. Kudat is an eminent environmental sociologist, and was until this month a senior staff member at the World Bank.
The expertise of Dr. Kudat will help ensure that the resettlement programme will reflect internationally accepted practice, which is the first of the four requirements set out in the announcement made by my hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on 21 December 1999.
§ Ann ClwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) which Departments of Government were 109W consulted on (a) human rights and (b) sustainable development issues relating to the Ilisu Dam; and on what dates; [124183]
(2) when the Foreign and Commonwealth Office was consulted about the human rights implications of providing ECGD cover for the Ilisu Dam in Turkey; and what advice it gave; [124184]
(3) which Departments of Government were consulted about the advisability of providing ECGD cover for the building of the Ilisu Dam; and on what dates. [124182]
§ Mr. CabornThe following Departments have been consulted about relevant aspects of the proposed Ilisu Dam project: H.M. Treasury, Department of Trade and Industry, British Trade International, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Department for International Development, Department of the Environment, Transport and Regions and Department for Culture, Media and Sport. These exchanges began in January 1999, although DCMS were not involved until later. ECGD continues to maintain regular contact with FCO, DTI, DETR, DCMS and British Trade International. DFID has not been involved since July 1999, as Turkey is not one of their key partner countries.
110WThere were intensive exchanges of correspondence between the Ministers most concerned during November and December 1999 prior to the announcement made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on 21 December 1999.