HC Deb 10 May 1990 vol 172 cc204-5W
Mrs. Clwyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will provide updated figures on assistance to countries of central and eastern Europe from the group of 24, in similar form to the tables in his Department's supplementary memorandum submitted to the Foreign Affairs Committee, printed in HC 58-i.

Mr. Maude

The G24 countries are now considering how to extend co-ordinated assistance to the countries of central and eastern Europe in addition to Poland and Hungary. As far as G24 assistance to those two countries is concerned, the European Commission has continued to compile a "scoreboard" of contributions by participating states. This was most recently published on 24 April, and a copy is being placed in the Library of the House. This provides the most comprehensive review available of G24 aid to Poland and Hungary.

Mrs. Clwyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much emergency relief and humanitarian assistance has been provided to eastern Europe so far in the current year; how much more is promised; and from which budget the funds are drawn.

Mr. Waldegrave

In 1990, we have allocated £500,000 for a donation to the World Health Organisation's programme of aid to the Romanian health service. Details were given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Overseas Development on 26 April, at column283. We have also allocated a total of £223,000 for various humanitarian projects for Romania, including donations of disposable syringes, treatment in the United Kingdom for victims of the fighting and a family planning project. These allocations were from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office class II, vote 2. No further aid of this nature is planned at present.

Mrs. Clwyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much food aid has been provided to eastern Europe in 1989 and 1990; what further food aid has been promised; and from which budget the food aid is taken.

Mr. Maude

In 1989 the European Community provided £97 million of food aid to eastern Europe. Since January 1990 it has provided a further £53 million. Funding has come from the "other policies" provisions within the Community's budget and from the FEOGA guarantee fund.

No further food aid has been requested or therefore promised.