§ Angus RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations she has received from the World Bank and Oxfam regarding the impact of the pending sale of a military air control system by BAE Systems to the Government of Tanzania on that country's economic development; and if she will make a statement. [25457]
§ Clare ShortIn my capacity as UK Governor of the World bank I am fully aware of bank concerns about the proposed sale of the BAE air traffic control system on the development of Tanzania. The concern relates to the system's technical applicability and value for money. These concerns were discussed with donors and undertakings made by the Government of Tanzania prior 849W to the International Monetary Fund and World Bank board meetings at the end of November 2001. The Government of Tanzania undertook to work with the International Civil Aviation Organisation in identifying Tanzania's civil aviation requirements and to explore possible modification of the contract with BAE to meet these requirements. On this basis the bank and fund boards agreed that Tanzania would reach Completion Point under the Highly Indebted Poor Countries Initiative at their November meetings.
I raised the World Bank concerns with the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, who is responsible for decisions on export licence applications.
I have received no representations from Oxfam.