HL Deb 02 May 2001 vol 625 cc95-6WA
Lord Hylton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is being done to prevent cross-border attacks on East Timor from West Timor. [HL1860]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Scotland of Asthal)

There are 8,104 UN peacekeeping troops in East Timor. Two thousand, four hundred of these are based in Sector West. One of their responsibilities is to maintain security along the border with West Timor.

Lord Hylton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many refugees from East Timor remain in West Timor; and at what rate they are being repatriated. [HL1861]

Baroness Scotland of Asthal

The Indonesian Government is planning to conduct a registration of refugees remaining in West Timor from 21st to 24th May. Without a comprehensive registration exercise, it is difficult to provide an accurate figure for the number of refugees in the camps. However, the UNHCR estimates that up to 100,000 remain.

The number of returnees in March 2001 was 2,735, bringing the total number to more than 179,000.

Lord Hylton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What sums have been pledged over the coming five years for rebuilding the economy of East Timor, and for social welfare, by (a) Her Majesty's Government, (b) United Nations Agencies, and (c) non-governmental organisations. [HL1862]

Baroness Scotland of Asthal

At the December 1999 Donor Conference in Tokyo, the international community pledged more than $520 million for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of East Timor. This is being disbursed directly through UN agencies and NGOs.

To date, the UK has committed more than £19 million for projects in East Timor.