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Dept of Trade and Industry

Answer

Mr. Simon Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what her Department's assessment is of the environmental sustainability of the Baku- Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline. [213686] Mr. Alexander: ECGD, with the assistance of independent environmental and technical consultants, carried out a rigorous assessment of the environmental, social and human rights impacts and financial and project risks of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline project before making its decision on support. Its conclusion was that the environmental, social and human rights impacts of the project had been properly and sufficiently addressed and that the project, as specified, complied in all material respects with relevant guidelines and standards. ECGD's decision to provide support was announced to the House on 17 December 2003, Official Report, column 138WS, and a note of its decision placed in the Libraries of the House and on the ECGD website on the same day. ECGD receives regular reports from the project company and from independent consultants that are monitoring the implementation of the project on behalf of all members of the Lender Group. As a result of these reports, ECGD continues to believe that the project is environmentally, socially and economically sustainable.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

432 c973-4W; 213686

Session

2004-05

Subjects

Environment protection Environmental impact assessment Oil Pipelines Sustainable development Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk