§ Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if she will make a statement on the timetable for the Export Credits Guarantee Department becoming a capitalised trading fund; [167265]
(2) what estimate has been made of the cost of the Export Credits Guarantee Department becoming a capitalised trading fund, broken down by (a) the source of the funding and (b) how the money is to be allocated; and if she will make a statement. [167266]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienMinisters are considering the arrangements for ECGD's Trading Fund, and an announcement will be made in due course.
§ Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether an assessment of the effects of fully privatising the Export Credits Guarantee Department was made before the decision that it should become a trading fund was taken. [168650]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienPrivatisation of ECGD was considered in the Mission and Status Review of ECGD in 1999–2000 (a copy is available on ECGD's website www.ecgd.gov.uk). The Review concluded that privatisation should not be pursued, and that ECGD's risk management systems should be strengthened by the establishment of a Trading Fund.