HC Deb 16 January 1991 vol 183 cc522-3W
34. Mr. Michael J. Martin

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had concerning the provision of expertise and technical and other support to the Soviet Union.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

We agreed with our European partners at the Rome European Council in December to offer technical assistance worth up to 400 million ecu—about £285 million—to the Soviet Union. This decision is being reviewed in the light of recent developments in the Baltic states. EC Foreign Ministers made it clear on 14 January that our co-operation with the Soviet Union could not be implemented if repression continued in the Baltic states.

Sir Dudley Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he plans any urgent aid by way of pharmaceutical products and medicines for the Soviet Union.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

The United Kingdom is participating in the EC programme of humanitarian assistance to the Soviet Union agreed at the European Council in December 1990. This aid will include food and medical supplies to the value of 3 million ecu. A total of 250 tonnes of medical supplies have already been despatched by the European Community.

The United Kingdom has not received any specific requests for medical aid from the USSR.