§ Dr. Lynne JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will make a statement on the agreement between the United Kingdom and Hungarian Governments on the funding for the International Peto Institute; and what will happen to the money donated by Her Majesty's Government at the expiry of the agreement; [25873]
(2) what progress has been made in the proposal to create an International Peto Institute; [25872]
(3) what is the value at current prices of the donation by Her Majesty's Government towards the appeal fund to create an International Peto Institute in Hungary; when the donation was made; and where the money is now; [25870]
(4) what is the total value of international donations for the International Peto Institute. [25871]
§ Mr. BowisThe Government made a contribution in 1991 towards the cost of building a new International Peto Institute in Budapest. These funds are held in trust in a bank account in Budapest and their current value is around £2 million. The Peto Institute has received donations from Hungarian and foreign donors, both private and public. Under the terms of our agreement with the Hungarian Government, the new institute had to be operational by February 1996. As the Hungarians have not brought the new institute into operation, the agreement has expired. Discussions are taking place with the174W Hungarian Government about the financial implications, including the disposal of money lodged in Hungary and how best to secure benefits for British children, parents and students.