§ Mr. GeorgeTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance has been given by Her Majesty's Government to Romania(a) directly and (b) indirectly since the revolution; and if each item can be costed.
§ Mr. WaldegraveWe have donated a consignment of medical supplies on 24 December and several items of medical equipment since then. We are treating a number of seriously injured young victims of the December righting for major surgery, at a cost which has yet to be determined. We are contributing about £5.8 million to the food aid and medical supplies packages sent or agreed so far by the EC. The British Council has committed £100,000 for new assistance projects in the cultural field. Further help is under consideration.
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs announced on 22 January that the existing know-how fund for Poland and Hungary 424W would be widened to cover other countries of eastern Europe once they are firmly committed to reform. I hope that Romania will qualify for assistance in that context.