Written question asked by Angus Robertson (Scottish National Party) on Thursday, 2 March 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 6 March 2006. It was answered by Ian Pearson (Labour) on Wednesday, 8 March 2006 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions his Department has had with members of the World Bank on the activities of Gecamines in the Democratic Republic of Congo; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: The activities of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) state-owned mining company Gecamines (La Generate des Carrieres et des Mines) and other state-owned enterprises, form part of our regular discussions with members of the Congolese Government and relevant international organisations, including the World Bank. In all these discussions, we have made clear that corruption within state enterprises must be eradicated so that the DRC's mineral wealth can be exploited for the benefit of the whole population.

Secondary information