Mr Mark Lennox-Boyd: I can confirm that it was in the form of a loan on concessional terms. Of course we are proud of the fact that we have a free press in Britain, but I have to agree with my hon. Friend that some newspapers have written nonsense and made some serious inaccuracies. As for the role of the Opposition in that, I can conclude only that they somehow seem to believe that there is good politics in...
Mr Mark Lennox-Boyd: The right hon. Gentleman is wrong to allege that Indonesia is spending such a high percentage of its gross domestic product on armaments. It is spending less than 2 per cent. of its gross domestic product on armaments. Indonesia is a fine example of a country with a sound record of economic management. In 1970, about 60 per cent. of the population was living below the poverty line; by 1990,...
Mr Mark Lennox-Boyd: We shall consider in any part of the world countries with the right criteria—those with a per capita income of less than $700 a year—for ATP projects that would benefit the country, the aid programme, British industry and British jobs.
Mr Mark Lennox-Boyd: I am glad that the hon. Gentleman supports the ATP programme, because it was invented by the last Labour Government. I am glad to say that the Pergau project will be worth 29,000 man years for British workers and that 110 British subcontractors and suppliers will gain business from it. The hon. Gentleman knows that Britain has led the way in debt relief. In 1990, we launched the Trinidad...
Mr Mark Lennox-Boyd: All projects are subject to environmental assessment according to the guidelines and procedures set out in the ODA manual of environmental appraisal.
Mr Mark Lennox-Boyd: Yes. Following the recent negotiations in Geneva, I am delighted to report that the GEF was successfully restructured and replenished. Britain pledged £89.5 million worth of support. The global environmental facility will help to alleviate global environmental threats. The agreement must be good news for the implementation of the climate change and biodiversity conventions.
Mr Mark Lennox-Boyd: The hon. Gentleman is wrong. The environmental and social impacts of the Pergau project are negligible compared with other dam schemes. The review of environmental information concluded that there were no environmental issues that would prejudice funding. The project has incurred minimal adverse impact on primary rain forest and rare wildlife species. Obviously, taxpayers, through the aid...
Mr Mark Lennox-Boyd: A great deal of care is taken to ensure that all projects are appraised for environmental impact. The ODA has an environmental appraisal manual, which was first published in 1989. Some 1,800 copies have been distributed, all staff are trained in using the manual and training is on-going.
Mr Mark Lennox-Boyd: None. Construction is on schedule for completion in 1996.
Mr Mark Lennox-Boyd: Some £4 billion worth of British exports have been assisted by the aid and trade provision. I have set out the benefits that have derived from the Pergau contract. Ministers have nothing whatsoever to be ashamed of.
Mr Mark Lennox-Boyd: As I have said, Malaysia provides a prime example of a Government who have pulled themselves out of poverty as a result of some measure of project aid.
Mr Mark Lennox-Boyd: I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Newark (Mr. Alexander). I listened with the greatest possible interest to the debate, and I found be interesting and informative. It is most important to bring together the Council of Europe and the Western European Union and to draw them to the attention of the House. Certainly it has been too long since there was a debate on the bodies, but I can...
Mr Mark Lennox-Boyd: I will, of course, investigate the matter extensively and fully and write the hon. Gentleman a comprehensive letter.
Mr Mark Lennox-Boyd: I shall do so briefly, but I cannot give way again.
Mr Mark Lennox-Boyd: The funding of the Council of Europe could be enhanced by charging the European Union an appropriate fee for the use of the flag. The hon. Member for Newham, North-West also asked about the Council of Europe acting as regional representative for the United Nations on human rights. That is an interesting point, but it would be much better to raise it in Strasbourg. The Council of Europe and...
Mr Mark Lennox-Boyd: I take the hon. Gentleman's point and I will make sure that a considered reply is given to the leaders of the delegation groups. I welcome the fact that in the debate attention has been given to the WEU. It may not always capture the attention of the media, and in the public consciousness it does not enjoy the same profile as our principal security alliance in NATO. However, I am happy to...
Mr Mark Lennox-Boyd: I am sure that it is appropriate for me to congratulate the hon. Member for Southampton, Itchen (Mr. Denham) on his contribution. The subject of the debate is certainly one in which he has made himself a considerable expert. He may not appreciate the fact until I tell him, but he has in great measure been responsible for my understanding of the subject—I do not claim that it is as great as...
Mr Mark Lennox-Boyd: When the executive director operates, he is answerable to, and under the control of, the Government, but there are occasions when he must act on his own initiative because matters are not of such moment that they must be reported to the Government. That would certainly be the case. However, the hon. Gentleman is entitled to table questions and we will answer them. I cannot do more than...
Mr Mark Lennox-Boyd: I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for his contribution, but I must make some progress now as I have only 17 minutes left and quite a bit of ground to cover. I want to say something about the measures that the bank has taken to be more open and transparent. Let us consider the bank's environmental performance. There has been much criticism today about the adverse impact of some of the...
Mr Mark Lennox-Boyd: I shall give way once more, and then I must make progress.
