§ 2. Mr. John MarshallTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the know-how funds available for eastern Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggThe purpose of the know-how fund is to support economic and political reform in central and eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union and the Baltic states. Since the fund was launched in 1989, we have spent more than £100 million. The budget for 1993–94 is £54.3 million.
§ Mr. MarshallMay I thank my right hon. and learned Friend for that answer and congratulate the know-how funds on being much more cost-effective than the European bank for reconstruction and development, the excesses of which are an affront to the people and the taxpayers of this country?
§ Mr. JannerDoes the Minister know that the President of Lithuania, the governor of his bank and others are in this country at the moment searching for more help from the know-how funds and generally? Does the Minister accept that now is the time for such help to be given while those countries are on the path to democracy and seeking to remain with the west? If the Government wait too long, there may be disaster.
§ Mr. HoggI certainly agree that economic aid plays an important part in underpinning and supporting political reform. However, it is important to keep in mind the fairly limited nature of the know-how funds and their principal purpose, which is the transfer of technical know-how. That said, if the Lithuanians have proposals that they wish us to consider, I shall be willing to have them examined.