§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the size of the European Union approved budget for human rights work in countries in transition; and if groups in Hong Kong may apply for the use of this money.
§ Mr. GoodladThe European Parliament added a new "remark" to the 1995 budget line B7-5240 to the effect that the budget line could be used to
promote the protection of human rights in countries where there is soon to be a change of sovereignty.We understand that the budget line, which is available for subsidies to certain activities of organisations pursuing human rights objectives, will be worth about 5 million ecu. It is for the European Commission to consider how much, if any, of this money will be spent on territories referred to by the European Parliament's remark. We understand that groups in Hong Kong may be eligible to apply for the use of this money.