asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he has given or approved the giving of any guarantee on behalf of Bula Limited; if so, when; and, if not, whether the giving of such guarantee is under consideration.

A State guarantee in favour of Bula Limited has not been given or approved. The question of such a guarantee would be a matter for consideration by the Government in the context of finalisation of the senior financing arrangements for the development of the mine.

Will the Minister tell the House if there is any provision in the secret agreement of 12th December, 1975, that would envisage the possibility that the Minister or the Government might be called on to give such a guarantee?

I was asked if an agreement had been given or approved and I answered that question. The question of the guarantee can, of course, arise in relation to any commercial undertaking in the country. It will be considered by the appropriate mechanism and decided on by the Government in due course if it arises.

The Minister agrees that the possibility exists that the Government on behalf of taxpayers may be called on in the future to give a guarantee of taxpayers' money which will possibly amount to several million pounds in addition to the money we understood was to be paid but about which there seems to be some delay on which the Minister cannot or will not expand. No comment?

13.