§ Baroness Gardner of Parkesasked Her Majesty's Government:
What help they are able to give to alleviate the health problems of, and improve the conditions in hospital for, sick children in Romania, and what assistance they are able to provide to voluntary agencies working in this field.
§ Lord ReayWe have so far provided about £6.5 million of humanitarian aid to Romania, directly and through the European Community. Some of this, in particular most of a £500,000 donation to the World Health Organisation, has gone towards child care. In addition, we are involved through the EC in a major new scheme for Romanian children's homes, which has already committed over £9 million and will be expanded in future. We are happy to offer as much advice as we can to voluntary agencies working to aid Romania.