§ Mr. NellistTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance the Government currently provide to help deal with the aftermath of the 1986 nuclear explosion and fire at the Chernobyl power station; if, in the light of rising projected fatalities, he will increase the technical and medical assistance offered; whether the Government will institute a programme of treating Ukrainian children affected by radiation at United Kingdom facilities; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggOur ability to offer assistance has been limited by the lack of hard information on the Chernobyl disaster. We hope that the International Atomic Energy Agency report expected soon will clarify matters and provide a basis for effective co-operation: we welcome the appointment by the UN Secretary-General of Miss Joan Anstee as the co-ordinator of UN activity. Meanwhile, we have given some practical help, for example by promoting specialist contacts.
Our reciprocal health agreement with the Soviet Union Government does allow patients from the Soviet Union to 190W be treated here, on the basis of a formal request from the Soviet authorities. So far, they have not approached us over Chernobyl-related cases.