HC Deb 04 June 1996 vol 278 cc390-1W
Miss Hoey

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports his Department has received from the World Health Organisation about the use the World Health Organisation made of the £300,000 which it received from the British Government for the physical rehabilitation programme in Bosnia; how much was used for prosthetics; and in which Bosnian medical institutions. [31120]

Mr. Hanley

The World Health Organisation has provided an interim report to my Department, dated 31 May 1996. As Finland had tied its contribution to the provision of prosthetics, WHO has chosen to use the ODA grant—originally expected to cover this area—elsewhere within its programme of co-ordinated physical rehabilitation activities. The grant will be used in 1996 to expand the programme within Bosnia (Banja Luka and Bihac), Serbia-Montenegro (western Baka), and Croatia (eastern Slavonia). The activities include training for professionals, rehabilitation, and the provision of equipment and supplies.

Miss Hoey

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action is being taken by the British Government to work with the Bosnian Government to co-ordinate the work of voluntary and non-government organisations in Bosnia. [31121]

Mr. Hanley

We work with the Bosnian and other former Yugoslav Governments, non-government organisations and international agencies such as the United Nations High Commission for Refugees to identify needs and determine priorities. Because non-government organisations are independent, neither we nor the Bosnian Government are in a position to direct them, but co-ordination between and with them is achieved through practical liaison. Since 1992, the Government have provided more than £18 million for the work of voluntary, non-government organisations in former Yugoslavia.