Michael Heseltine was keen in announcing the terms of privatisation to convince MPs that every detail had been carefully

Michael Heseltine was keen, in announcing the terms of privatisation, to convince MPs that every detail had been carefully prepared. But a glance at the White Paper reveals a government desperate to raise quick money for tax cuts before the General Election. As a result of rushing the sale, it will now almost certainly raise less revenue than might otherwise have been generated The first concern on most people's minds will be safety On that front at least ministers have not compromised. Yesterday events will not make another Chernobyl or Three Mile Island more likely. Since we are assured that the safety regime for the privatised companies will be as strict as it has been while the power stations have been in public ownership, there is no reason in principle to be opposed to privatisation, which has yielded significant efficiencies in other power utilities, where a combination of competition and regulation have improved the deal for the customer. Even the anti-nuclear lobby should take some satisfaction.

Mr Heseltine announced that no new nuclear power stations will be built in the foreseeable future. The Government is unwilling to pay for them and, according to Mr Heseltine, the City cannot come up with sound plans for financing new plant.Consumers may also be cheered by yesterday's news. The fossil fuel levy - essentially a tax on electricity consumers to pay nuclear decommissioning costs - is to be abolished earlier than expected, so permitting cuts in electricity bills.But safety and bills aside, the privatisation plan looks messy. To make the industry more attractive to the City, the Government has forced Nuclear Electric and Scottish Nuclear into an awkward marriage.

As a result an opportunity has been squandered to enhance the level of competition currently faced by Powergen and National Power, the two giant generators created four years ago when the non-nuclear side of the electricity industry was privatised. The ageing Magnox reactors, to be kept separate in the public sector, will not make up for the lack of competition since they will gradually be phased out of service.The sale will also have to be very quick. The Government wants it completed by next year, which reduces the flexibility the seller has to time the sale in a way which maximises the proceeds That is against the interest of the taxpayer. So too is the risk that the White Paper deliberately underestimates the eventual cost of decommissioning Magnox reactors, which may feel good in the short term but carry a serious sting in the tail.Kenneth Clarke's failure to raise interest rates last week has prompted justifiable fears that electoral considerations are now driving monetary policy. The hasty nature of the plans for nuclear privatisation confirms that ministers' preoccupation with a tax-cutting election programme is damaging sound government.. The Independent has, in the past few days, devoted considerable space to the external audit at the World Health Organisation's regional office for Africa in Brazzaville.

This important issue is now being addressed, and should not be allowed to obscure the many achievements of the organisation or the constructive progress currently under way at the World Health Assembly in Geneva to further the process of change. Change in a large and complex international organisation can be painful and difficult. Since 1993 WHO has made far-reaching reforms to its programmes, management and policies in response to the needs of a rapidly changing world. Budgeting and operational planning have been radically transformed and made more transparent to enable priorities to be more easily identified and implemented. In January 1995 the WHO executive board expressed its strong support for the reform process. The World Health Assembly is also supportive of the reforms, while recognising that more needs to be done in the coming years The assembly has endorsed WHO's policy. We are in the middle of reform and are working hard to enhance WHO's capacity to support countries and communities, particularly the poorest, to achieve better health for all people. As highlighted in The World Health Report 1995 - Bridging the Gaps, which WHO published on 1 May, it is in Africa that many of the world's most serious health problems occur, and through WHO's Regional Office for Africa they can be addressed.WHO is dedicated to the eradication of polio and leprosy worldwide by 2000.

It is also close to its goal of eliminating neonatal tetanus - a killer of women in developing countries. WHO is helping to deliver essential medicines to those most in need.Nevertheless the global economic crisis and increased demands by countries for WHO's expertise and support means the organisation still faces severe financial difficulties. In response, WHO's management has repeatedly stressed its commitment to making the organisation leaner, fitter and better able to direct and co-ordinate international health policies.The protection and improvement of human health around the world is vital to all of us. WHO, with its 190 member states, is working to improve the organisation's activities in support of this goal.