§ Bob SpinkTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will extend the consultation period on the Ilisu Dam project in South East Turkey to November.[5969]
§ Ms Hewitt[holding answer 15 October 2001]: I do not intend to extend the closing date for comments on the Environmental Impact Assessment Report. This Report was made publicly available on 3 July 2001 and the public were informed that comments received by 7 September 2001 would be taken into account when I make my decision regarding ECGD support for the Ilisu Project. A number of comments have been received during this period and these are being reviewed.
§ Bob SpinkTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment her Department has made of the Environmental Impact Assessment on the Ilisu Dam project in south-east Turkey; and if she will make a statement. [5968]
§ Ms Hewitt[holding answer 15 October 2001]: ECGD has commissioned consultants' reports on the Environmental Impact Assessment Report on the Ilisu Dam Project and also on the Resettlement Action Plan. These reports are being studied, together with the comments received from non-governmental organisations and the public. The reports and the comments received will be the subject of discussion with other interested Government Departments, in particular the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport prior to any decision being taken regarding ECGD support.