HC Deb 25 June 1952 vol 502 cc2226-7
28. Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether in view of the fact that Her Majesty's Government support the United Nations Reconstruction Agency in their efforts to promote relief and reconstruction in Korea and to restore the Korean economy, he will specify the procedure adopted; how far such relief has extended in the towns and countryside, respectively, of Korea; and what are the future plans for its further extension.

Mr. Selwyn Lloyd

While hostilities continue relief is the responsibility of the United Nations Civil Assistance Command, which is a branch of the United Nations Command. It is not at present intended that the United Nations Korean Reconstruction Agency shall take over full responsibility until after an armistice, but it is making plans and undertaking some special projects in collaboration with the Army.

My latest information is that the railways are now working better than before the Korean war, that the road system has been improved, that electrical power resources have been restored to at least 50 per cent,.of their pre-war strength, and that the health work of the United Nations Command in preventing epidemics has been very effective. Through the United Nations Command considerable quantities of food, fertilizers, building materials, medical supplies and other necessities have been provided.

Mr. Hughes

Does the Minister realise that he has not given me the particulars I asked for in the Question? I asked him where and when. Does he realise that the United Nations owe a sacred duty to the Koreans to leave Korea not worse but better than they found it? Does he agree that it would be a tragic anomaly if the intervention of the United Nations to save Korea should result in the wrecking of Korea? Will he give me the information for which I asked?

Mr. Lloyd

I thought I had given the hon. and learned Gentleman a rather long answer. I can tell him I have had the opportunity of seeing the Commander of the United Nations Civil Assistance Command, also those responsible for the Reconstruction Agency and members of U.N.C.U.R.K. and I am quite satisfied that those people are doing, and are prepared to do, a very good job of work.