HC Deb 18 December 1989 vol 164 c110W
71. Mr. Barry Field

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what advice and assistance is being offered by his Department to the countries of eastern Europe on how they might control and manage their energy needs more effectively.

Mr. Peter Morrison

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Newport, West (Mr. Flynn) on 8 December at column444.

In addition the Government have financed a reconnaissance mission led by the consulting arm of CEGB, through the know-how fund to look at the requirements of the electricity supply industry in Poland. It is expected that further assistance will be made available when the recommendations of the report have been considered. We would expect to help other countries with the modernisation of their power industries in accordance with their needs and when funds become available. A know-how fund for Hungary—£25 million over five years —begins operating in April 1990.