To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much debt is owed to UK companies by Burma; in relation to which (a) companies and (b) projects the Export Credits Guarantee Department has taken over this debt; and in each case when the guarantees were given. (145338)

The amount owed by Burma to UK companies in respect of defaulted export contracts insured or guaranteed by the ECGD is £22.9 million. The ECGD has subrogated rights to recoveries.

Contracts for which the ECGD provided 100 per cent. guarantees for the related financing loans given by the National Westminster Bank are as follows:

John Brown Engineering/Government of Burma Electric Power Enterprise: One loan signed in 1979 and two in 1982;

Bonar Cruickshank Power Engineering/Government of Burma Electric Power Enterprise: Loan signed 1986; and

James Mackie and Sons/Myanmar Textile Industries: Loan signed 1980.

The ECGD also insured two export contracts with Myanmar Textile Industries and the Inland Water Transport Corporation where the outstanding debt is £1.8 million. The policies were issued in 1980 and 1983. Owing to commercial confidentiality undertakings in insurance policies, the ECGD would need to notify those companies before disclosing their names.