§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what assessment has been made of the results of the World Health Organisation's tobacco and health programme aimed at helping countries elaborate on their tobacco control policies;
(2) whether his Department has been approached by any developing countries asking for advice about (a) anti-smoking education and (b) information gained from epidemiology of smoking-related diseases;
(3) what is Britain's contribution to the World Health Organisation tobacco and health programme.
§ Mrs. ChalkerThe World Health Organisation's tobacco or health programme was approved by the World Health Assembly in May 1989 based on a plan of action for 1988–1995. A meeting of the director-general's technical advisory group on tobacco or health was held from 28 to 30 November 1989 to evaluate the first year of practical implementation of the plan of action and to study and advise on issues concerning the various aspects of the programme. This group will continue to review the content, scope and activities of the programme. The United Kingdom supports the World Health Orgnisation's tobacco or health programme through its assessed contribution to the total regular budget of the World Health Organisation. Our budgetary contribution is paid by the Department of Health and totals £9.041 million in the 1990–91 biennium. About 0.18 per cent. (US$1.197 million) of the total WHO regular budget for this biennium is allocated to the tobacco or health programme. The United Kingdom has received no requests from developing countries for assistance with anti-smoking education or the epidemiology of smoking-related diseases under the United Kingdom aid programme.