HL Deb 27 October 1971 vol 324 cc661-2

2.23 p.m.

LORD BROCKWAY

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what response has been made to the appeal by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees for further contributions for relief in East Pakistan.]

THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE, FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIAN)

My Lords, my right honourable friend the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary announced in another place on October 18 that, in response to U Thant's recent appeals and Prince Sadruddin Khan's appeal of October 11, Her Majesty's Government were making available a further £ 7½ million for relief among the refugees in India and a further £ 1 million for relief in East Pakistan. This will bring our total contributions to over £ 144 million for relief among the refugees and £ 2 million for relief in East Pakistan.

LORD BROCKWAY

My Lords, would the Minister answer my Question? This asked what response has been made to the United Nations High Commissioner's appeal. It was not intended to refer to our own Government only, but to the appeal generally.

THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIAN

My Lords, I am sorry if we have misunderstood the noble Lord's Question. I did not realise that it was a more general question than had appeared. I think I can answer it to some extent by saying that by October 14 the sum of 137 million dollars had been pledged to the United Nations for relief of the East Pakistan refugees. I hope that will give the noble Lord the information he requires.

LORD BROCKWAY

My Lords, in thanking the Minister for that answer, may I ask him, first, whether he is aware that the increased British contribution would cover the cost of relief for only one week? Is not the response to the United Nations desperately inadequate? Is the noble Marquess aware that it is costing India £ 8 million a week and that she has contributed £ 500 million? Will Her Majesty's Government take advantage of the visit of Mrs. Indira Ghandi to indicate some British initiative to obtain a more adequate response?

THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIAN

Naturally, my Lords, we are only too glad to see as much response as possible, and I agree with the noble Lord that the response has been in general disappointing. I am sure this will be one of the matters which will be discussed with the Indian Prime Minister.

LORD BROCKWAY

My Lords, may I ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will consider two constructive proposals? The first, is that they should take initiative through the Western Aid Consortium sponsored by the World Bank. May I ask whether its report has yet been received and, if so, what was the Government's response? Secondly, will Her Majesty's Government consider the proposal of OXFAM that the Security Council should appoint an executive group to fund and implement this relief?

THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIAN

My Lords, I will certainly consider the second of the noble Lord's two supplementaries. As to the first one, I am afraid I should require notice as to whether the report has been received, but I will undertake to let the noble Lord know.

BARONESS LLEWELYN-DAVIES OF HASTOE

My Lords, while the noble Marquess is considering this matter, could he confirm that the EFTA countries have contributed something like 18 million dollars, the Common Market countries 10 million dollars, and the Americans have given very much more?

THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIAN

My Lords, I will bear that in mind.