§ Mr. AmosTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy to increase the amount of aid to Bulgaria; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. ChalkerThe know-how fund was extended to Bulgaria in February 1991 to provide British advice, skills and training in assisting the transition to democracy and a market economy. In this first year an initial range of projects has been developed involving some £1.3 million of commitments mainly in the financial, management, employment and public administration sectors. I expect the programme to expand as more know-how fund projects are identified.
§ Mr. AmosTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will meet his EC counterparts to increase the amount of food aid to Bulgaria; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. ChalkerThe need for food aid for central and eastern European countries is kept under close review by the Council and Commission. Aid to these countries will be considered by the Council on 3 February. Neither Her Majesty's Government nor the Commission is aware of any Bulgarian requests for food aid this winter.