§ Jeremy CorbynTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consultations his Department has had with oil companies concerning oil exploration and railway construction in Tibet. [5914]
§ Mr. MacShaneWe have regular consultations with major British oil companies engaged in business with China. Neither we, nor Trade Partners UK, have, to the best of our knowledge, discussed with them questions of oil exploration or railway building in Tibet.
We are not aware of any British oil companies being directly involved in either oil exploration or railway building in Tibet. We would expect British companies involved in development in Tibet to observe best social and environmental standards.