HC Deb 02 March 1955 vol 537 cc2029-33
1. Mr. Patrick Maitland

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what segregation arrangements exist for tubercular cases in the United Nations Relief and Works Agency camps for Palestinian refugees towards the cost of which Her Majesty's Government make an annual contribution.

The Joint Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Lord John Hope)

Refugees suffering from infectious tuberculosis are segregated and cared for in local government hospitals in Gaza and the Lebanon, in the new Government sanitorium in Amman and in a missionary tuberculosis hospital on the West Bank. Next month the United Nations Relief and Works Agency will open a further 100-bed tuberculosis hospital in Jordan especially for refugees.

Mr. Maitland

Is it not the case that more than 40,000 refugees have been living for more than five years in one camp near Jericho alone, that no arrangements whatever for segregation exist in that camp, that the arrangements which my hon. Friend has described are utterly inadequate and that the Government, having contributed large sums of money to the Agency for many years, should voice this major scandal, in which we have a share?

Lord John Hope

Things may not be perfect, but the Agency is working on the advice of a public health specialist in tuberculosis from the World Health Organisation, and I am assured that there is no special danger to public health.

Mr. Maitland

Is my hon. Friend aware that nothing whatever has been done about these 40,000 refugees near Jericho and that no arrangements for segregation exist at the camp?

2. Mr. Patrick Maitland

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what handicraft or other occupations are carried on by Palestinian refugees in the United Nations Relief and Works Agency camps.

Lord John Hope

As the answer is very long, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Maitland

May we take it from that answer that it is a negative reply? My hon. Friend is, no doubt, aware that no arrangements are made at this camp near Jericho for any handicrafts to be carried on by these 40,000 people who for five years have been sitting doing nothing.

Lord John Hope

My hon. Friend had better await the answer. It would be difficult to make it long if it were a negative reply.

Following is the answer: In the field of vocational training there are at present two centres—one in Jordan and one in Gaza—conducting courses of from six months to two years' duration in the engineering and building trades. The capacity of each centre is 200. The minimum age of entry is 15, but all the students at present in attendance are much older. It is proposed to establish throughout the host countries a number of similar vocational training schools, including centres for agriculture and for women's work (commercial, secretarial, etc.). It is proposed also to conduct refresher courses for refugee tradesmen who have been so long away from their trades that they are in need of instruction and practice. A number of training courses have been conducted in industrial and commercial establishments, e.g., shorthand and typing, welding. The Welfare Division and the Fundamental Education activities in U.N.R.W.A. cater for the leisure hours and occupational and educational needs of camp refugees who are not of school going age, both men and women. Besides education, various crafts are being introduced. Libraries and reading rooms are established. Play centres and kindergartens are run for the children who are below school going age.

The following figures indicate the nature of these activities: —

A. MEN

1. Crafts (39 Centres)

Crafts are being selected to meet the needs and demands of refugees. Each centre is equipped for one of the following crafts:—carpentry, shoemaking, tailoring and rug weaving.

2. Clubs (58)

Clubs are equipped with radio sets, indoor games, library and reading rooms. Outdoor games such as football, basketball, weight-lifting and boxing.

3. Other activities (58 Centres)

Other activities such as:—

  1. (a) Educational activities.
  2. (b) Lectures.
  3. (c) Cinema shows.
  4. (d) Dramatics.
  5. (e) Development of hobbies are also provided.

4. Boy Scouts

39 groups in 39 camps.

B. WOMEN

1. Arts and Crafts Centres (Advanced) (20 Centres)

The following advanced Arts and Crafts are being conducted for women in camps:—

  1. (a) Lampshades.
  2. (b) Crusaders jackets,
  3. (c) Children's dresses.
  4. (d) Stoles.
  5. (e) Embroidery.
  6. (f) Dressmaking.
  7. (g) Leather work.
  8. (h) Toy making.

2. Crafts for beginners (64 Centres)

Hospital linen, overalls, layettes, mending, sewing, knitting, embroidery and weaving are being given to women.

(3) Home Economics (27 Centres)

(4) Other activities (64 Centres)

  1. (a) Educational activities.
  2. (b) Discussion groups.
  3. (c) Child welfare and hygiene.
  4. (d) Cinema shows.
  5. (e) Library and reading rooms are also provided.

5. Girl Guides—47 groups.

C. CHILDREN

Play Centres (19 Centres)

Play centres for children who are below school-going age are being run in camps.

6. Mr. Crouch

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the number of Palestinian refugees, per doctor, in the United Nations Relief and Works Agency camps.

Lord John Hope

Three thousand five hundred and fifty-six.

7. Mr. Crouch

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the weekly cost, per capita, of adults and of children under five years of age, in sterling, in the United Nations Relief and Works Agency camps for Palestinian refugees; how far this includes cost of administration; and how much, per capita, the cost of adminstration amounts to.

Lord John Hope

The average weekly cost of relief per capita is 4s. 1d. It has not been possible to obtain separate figures for adults and children under five. The figure of 4s. 1d. does not include the cost of administration, which is 2d. a week.

Mr. Crouch

Does my noble Friend consider that 4s. 1d. a week is enough? It seems to me a very small sum indeed.

Lord John Hope

The results, while by no means perfect, are not unsatisfactory on the whole.

8. Mr. Crouch

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the weekly amount and variety of food, by weight, per capita, in the United Nations Relief and Works Agency camps for Palestinian refugees.

Lord John Hope

As the answer is fairly long, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Crouch

Is it a varied diet or does it consist of rice, wheat or one or two basic foods?

Lord John Hope

I cannot give my hon. Friend details of that sort, but I can tell him that the nutrition specialists of the World Health Organisation, who make regular tours of inspection, have found the condition of these people not unsatisfactory.

Mr. Patrick Maitland

Can my noble Friend say whether he is satisfied with this tale of ruin of human lives to which this country has contributed through our contribution to the cost of the Organisation, and is he satisfied with the progress made?

Lord John Hope

I am satisfied that progress has been made, and I would ask my hon. Friend not to exaggerate what, in any case, is a difficult task.

Mr. H. Hynd

Can the Minister say what contribution is being made to the solution of this serious problem by the rich Arab States?

Lord John Hope

I cannot answer that question without notice. I am not responsible for their contribution anyway.

Following is the answer: The weekly quantities, per refugee in summer, are:
  • 1 Ib. 4½ oz. of flour.
  • 1 lb. 4 oz. of pulses.
  • 12 oz. of oils and fats.
  • 1 lb. 4 oz. of sugar.
  • 8 oz. of rice.
  • 9 oz. of wheat.

and in winter each receives also:

The majority of refugees supplement their rations with fruit, vegetables, eggs and meat either produced by themselves or bought with their small irregular earnings.

2. Children under one year, who do not receive the basic ration, are given 1,200 grammes of whole milk daily. Supplementary foods in varying quantities are given to children between six months and two years; to pregnant and nursing women; and to others according to medical advice.