§ 20. Mr. Sorensenasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what information he has as to approximately the number of refugees in South Korea; and what action has been taken through the United Nations to deal with this problem.
§ Mr. Ernest DaviesThe number of refugees in South Korea is between one and two million. The Unified Command are responsible for keeping the movement of refugees away from the main arteries of military traffic and for feeding and health measures. Their efforts have been highly successful. The Unified Command are also responsible for administering relief funds and supplies contributed by members of the United Nations and international organisations. Apeals for subscriptions to the proposed United Nations Korean Reconstruction Agency have produced conditional offers from 36 countries, totalling the equivalent of approximately 225 million dollars.
§ Mr. SorensenIs the Minister satisfied that what is necessary is being done for these unfortunate people? Can he say whether anything is being done to provide them with work, or restore their villages?
§ Mr. DaviesOur information is that the efforts of the Unified Command have seen highly successful but, of course, the situation is fluid and it is not possible at this stage to provide rehabilitation. A great number of refugees have been moved to islands off the mainland and, generally speaking, their position is not so bad as might be expected.