HL Deb 26 May 1993 vol 546 cc17-8WA
Lord Tebbit

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What proportion of the £0.5 million given by the European Community to improve prisons in Albania could be ascribed to the British taxpayer.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

We understand that preliminary discussions have taken place between the European Commission, the Council of Europe and the government of Albania on a programme of technical assistance for the reform of the judicial and penal system, amounting to some £580,000. No proposal has yet been put forward to the PHARE Management Committee, where member states are consulted. The United Kingdom budget share, if a proposal is agreed, would be around £90,000; this would be attributed to the public expenditure provision for external assistance.

Lord Tebbit

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the nature of British public interest in financing the improvement of prisons in Albania.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

We support the development of human rights and democratic institutions and practices in Central and Eastern Europe. Improvement of the prison and judicial system in Albania would contribute to these objectives, although we have not yet seen specific proposals.