European Bank of Reconstruction and Development

Question: I thank my hon. Friend for that reply. Is he aware that substantial criticism has been directed at Shell over the Sakhalin II oil and gas project by environmental non-governmental organisations? What is being done to address those concerns?

Answer: Let me reassure my hon. Friend that the Government are fully aware of the social, environmental and energy security issues that are associated with the Sakhalin project. A number of Ministers, myself included, have met the non-governmental organisations in the UK that are particularly concerned about the project. As a result, we have also met President Lemierre and representatives of Shell a number of times to discuss those concerns. At the invitation of Shell, I asked some of our officials to go to the Sakhalin project, the better to see for themselves how those concerns were being addressed. We have not yet been asked to support a loan by the EBRD or the Export Credits Guarantee Department to the Sakhalin project. If we are, we will obviously take full account of the concerns that have been raised with us.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 448 c1378
Session: 2005-06
Oral question type: 1st Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Commons chamber
Subjects: Investment International assistance Export credit guarantees Economic growth Private sector Oil Natural gas Russia Shell Eastern Europe European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
Link: View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk