§ 61. Mr. CarringtonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking in assisting eastern European countries to tackle environmental pollution.
§ Mr. TrippierIn a meeting of EC and eastern European Environment Ministers in Dublin on 16 June, at which I represented the United Kingdom, I made clear the United Kingdom's determination to play a full part in tackling the appalling environmental problems of eastern Europe. We are already active in the multilateral PHARE Poland and Hungary Assistance for Economic Restructuring—programme co-ordinated by the European Commission. This has earmarked £216 million for restructuring the economies of Poland and Hungary, more than a sixth of it274W for the environment, and we have provided key experts for fact-finding missions. I am hopeful that a significant proportion of the £144 million allocated to extending the programme to other eastern European democracies will stimulate environmentally sound projects and investments.
In addition, my Department is working closely with the United Kingdom know-how fund. We have sent a local government mission to Poland and discussed co-operative action with the British water industry. We have invited representatives of industry, environmental groups, universities and the media to a seminar next month on all aspects of environmental help. I have also invited the Polish and Czech Environment Ministers to this country in the autumn after which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I hope to visit east Europe to see for ourselves what needs to be done.