§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of how the World Bank's Extractive Industries Review will influence future policy-making, with particular reference to(a) the link between extractive industries and poverty alleviation, (b) consultations with indigenous populations before extractive industries are set in place, (c) human rights obligations where extractive industries are about to be set up and (d) giving a higher profile and better funding to renewable energy projects. [172986]
§ Hilary BennThe Government have been actively engaged in the Extractive Industries Review (EIR) process. DFID does not anticipate that the review will significantly influence future UK policy-making. It will however contribute to the ongoing process of improving the sustainable development performance of oil, gas and mining sectors; and the high standards that the World Bank encourages from its partners.
DFID supports the main conclusion of the review that the World Bank Group should remain engaged with the extractives sector and agrees that it is important that social and environmental safeguards are rigorously applied, that human rights are respected, and that efforts are made to improve the governance and transparency of revenue flows from the sector.