§ Mr. ButlerTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what measures he is undertaking to assist the new democratic regimes in eastern Europe.
§ Mr. HowardThe reforming countries of eastern Europe urgently need practical help to develop their labour markets, to fight unemployment, to increase training and retraining, and to generate a spirit of enterprise. My Department is giving a high priority to providing such help, working with and through the Government's know-how fund.
In recent weeks I have visited Czechoslovakia and Hungary, and have signed agreements of co-operation in the labour market area with both Governments. This week I shall be in Poland, where I shall sign a similar agreement with the Polish Government. These individual agreements set out specific, practical measures, based on each country's particular needs, in a number of areas where my Department can help, including training and retraining, support for the development of small firms and enterprise, and the management of unemployment.