HC Deb 25 April 1951 vol 487 cc385-6
57. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the proposed constitution of the United Nations Korean Reconstruction Agency; what funds are to be put at its disposal; what will be its scope and policy; and whether it will commence operations before the present conflict in Korea has ended.

Mr. Younger

A copy of the General Assembly resolution which created the United Nations Korean Reconstruction Agency and sets out the policy it should follow has been placed in the Library of the House. Twelve Governments have promised to contribute more than 200 million dollars during its first year. It has not yet been decided when the Agency's operations should begin.

Mr. Sorensen

Does not the Minister feel that this Agency should be put into operation forthwith, in view of the very great human need in Korea just now?

Mr. Younger

There is no doubt whatever, of course, about the human need; but when the Agency was set up it was envisaged that it would be operating after the end of the military operations, and so long as military operations are going on there are very considerable difficulties in the way of having a civilian agency operating along military lines of supply.

Earl Winterton

What steps have been taken to deal with the terrible position of the refugees? Who is responsible, under the United Nations, for dealing with the question of refugees? Is it the military command, or who?

Mr. Younger

Yes, Sir, the Unified Command is responsible for all that type of work. It spends very large sums and has a considerable organisation for that purpose.

Mr. Emrys Hughes

Would it not help if the Unified Command stopped the bombing that makes the refugees homeless?