Aid Trade Provision

EDM number 1418 in 1989-90, proposed by Tom Clarke on 17/10/1990.

That this House notes that the honourable Member for Cynon Valley wrote on 17th October 1990 to John Bourn CB, Comptroller and Auditor General of the National Audit Office, reporting serious allegations concerning misuse of large sums of tax-payers' money, under the Aid-Trade Provision of the Overseas Development Administration; notes her statement that 'one allegation of corruption concerns the proposed Pergau hydro-electric project in Malaysia...I am told by a well-informed source that the cost of the ú400 million project includes ú35 million in bribes (or "fees"). It is alleged that "bribes" and "backhanders" are going to local officials, land-owners, politicians, and certain members of the Malaysian Royal Family. I have been informed that Aid-Trade Provision funds have been offered for this project, but have not yet been released'; notes that the honourable Member has compiled a dossier of many reports and allegations inappropriate and environmentally damaging Aid-Trade Provision projects; notes that 36 per cent. of all Aid-Trade Provision grants since 1979, of ú276.603 million, has supported contracts with just five British companies: Northern Engineering Industries, BICC, General Electric Company, Plessey, and Trafalgar House; further notes that these companies have, since 1979, contributed approximately ú1,492,231 to the Conservative Party and other groups supporting the Conservative Party; strongly believes that public funds are being squandered and are harming, rather than helping, the poorest people overseas; and calls for an urgent and full investigation by the National Audit Office and the Public Accounts Committee.

This motion has been ammended, see 508A1.

This motion has been signed by a total of 26 MPs.