§ 22. Mr. KnapmanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions he has had with his European Community counterparts regarding joint action to assist the countries of eastern Europe in tackling environmental pollution.
§ Mr. TrippierCommunity assistance to eastern European countries in dealing with their grave environmental pollution problems was discussed at the informal Environment Council on 21 April at Ashford castle. I took part in this meeting which noted the substantial financial commitments for environmental aid already made by the Community as a result of earlier discussions.
§ 29. Mr. Gwilym JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action the Government will be taking to assist the countries of eastern Europe in cleaning up environmental pollution.
§ Mr. Chris PattenThe extent of the environmental damage done by the communist regimes in eastern Europe requires international assistance. The United Kingdom is acting primarily through the joint programme coordinated by the European Commission for all the G24 countries. Following visits by joint teams of experts, initial programmes of projects are being implemented for Poland and Hungary. The process of formulating programmes has begun for East Germany and Czechoslovakia, and is expected to extend to Romania, Bulgaria and Yugoslavia. The United Kingdom bilateral know-how fund for eastern Europe, administered by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, is available to help with the transfer of British skills in dealing with these problems. The fund has already assisted the planning meeting on the Czech environment problems at East London polytechnic last weekend. Wider proposals for transfer of British expertise in management of the environment are being worked up and assessed.