§ Mr. AustinTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which British companies involved in the Ilisu Dam project are involved in the trial concerning bribery and corruption in Lesotho; and if he will make a statement. [127079]
§ Mr. Caborn[holding answer 20 June 2000]As has already been reported in the press, Balfour Beatty, one of the companies involved in a bribery trial in Lesotho, is bidding for work on the proposed Ilisu Dam project in Turkey.
It would be inappropriate to comment on specific allegations against British firms, which are a matter for the appropriate courts.
§ Mr. AustinTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what formal procedures are in place in the event of companies in receipt of ECGD support(a) being charged with corruption and (b) having allegations of corruption made against them. [127082]
§ Mr. Caborn[holding answer 20 June 2000]ECGD's audit services would normally investigate any case, in either category, where there are grounds for believing that the Exchequer's interest might be prejudiced as a result of alleged corrupt practices.
ECGD will shortly be introducing new procedures to the OECD Bribery Convention aimed at further deterring corrupt practices.
§ Mr. AustinTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action he has taken concerning recent allegations of bribery and corruption on the part of British companies in Lesotho. [127080]
§ Mr. Caborn[holding answer 20 June 2000]The Government share international concern at all allegations of corruption. It would, however, be inappropriate to comment on specific allegations against UK firms which are a matter, in this instance, for the Lesotho courts. The Government will, if asked, co-operate fully in any way that it can.
§ Mr. AustinTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the directors of UK companies banned from World bank contracts who are directors of companies in receipt of ECGD support; and if he will list the relevant companies. [127085]
§ Mr. Caborn[holding answer 20 June 2000]The World bank last updated their list of ineligible firms on 29 February 2000. ECGD has no record of having provided support to any of the firms on that list.
184W
§ Mr. AustinTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what staff he has in post to check for corruption relating to ECGD- backed projects. [127083]
§ Mr. Caborn[holding answer 20 June 2000]ECGD policy makes it clear that all staff have a part to play in minimising the risks of corruption and malpractice by remaining alert to such possibilities and by developing and maintaining effective controls to reduce these risks. Additionally there is an Internal Audit Department of seven who have responsibility for investigating any suspected cases of corruption relating to ECGD backed projects.
§ Mr. AustinTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if guidelines to prevent corruption will be included in the forthcoming recommendations for the ECGD's Mission and Status. [127084]
§ Mr. Caborn[holding answer 20 June 2000]The review of ECGD's Mission and Status is ongoing and I cannot comment on the outcome of the review until it is complete. It is looking at what ECGD's future role should be and, as I stressed when I announced the review last July, will consider carefully how ECGD can better help the Government to meet their wider objectives. I expect Ministers to determine necessary changes to ECGD's Mission in the next month or so. A report of the review will be published.