Written question asked by John Austin (Labour) on Monday, 22 July 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 19 September 2002. It was answered by Patricia Hewitt (Labour) on Thursday, 19 September 2002 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Dept of Trade and Industry

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what investigations are being carried out by the ECGD following the judgement of Judge Cullinan in Lesotho, on British companies that received ECGD support; and whether they have referred this case to the relevant external investigatory body.

Answer: John Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what investigations are being carried out by the ECGD following the judgment of Judge Cullinan in Lesotho, on British companies that received ECGD support; and whether they have referred this case to the relevant external investigatory body. [72919] Ms Hewitt: We are aware that there has been a guilty verdict delivered against Masupha Sole, the former Chief Executive of the Lesotho Highlands Development Authority. However, the consortia involved in the Lesotho Highlands Water Project have not been convicted of corruption. ECGD is currently seeking information from the companies who were supported by ECGD and who were members of the consortia concerned, and continues to closely monitor developments in relation to Court action in Lesotho. ECGD is fully committed to eliminating bribery and corruption. On 28 September 2000, ECGD strengthened its own anti corruption measures--pre-empting the OECD Export Credit Group's Action Statement on Bribery and Officially Supported Export Credits and reflecting the OECD Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 72919; 390 c143W
Session: 2001-02
Subjects: Contracts Companies Civil proceedings Corruption UK Export Finance Water supply Sole, Masupha
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk