§ 11. Colonel Beamishasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has now studied the proposals for a World Refugee Year put forward in the quarterly periodical Crossbow, sent to him by the hon. and gallant Member for Lewes; and if he will consider taking the initiative in the United Nations, with a view to resettling all refugees in camps in Austria, Germany, Italy and Greece, and the Russian emigrés in Hong Kong, and making renewed international efforts to solve the major problems of the Arab refugees from Israel and the Chinese refugees from China.
§ Mr. Selwyn LloydI have read with interest the article to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers. As hon. Members know, there are two bodies set up under the auspices of the United Nations charged with the resettlement of refugees, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency and the United Nations Refugee Fund. Her Majesty's Government are contributing in 1958 £2 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for the relief of Arab refugees in Palestine, and £100,000 to the United Nations Refugee Fund, as well as £25,000 towards 142 the resettlement of European refugees from China. We shall continue to support these bodies as far as we are able.
§ Colonel BeamishIs my right hon. and learned Friend aware that, while one does not minimise the generosity of the United Kingdom in these matters, it seems that, in spite of the huge efforts which have been made since 1945 on an international basis, this problem may drag on for a very long time indeed unless there is some new initiative? I beg my right hon. and learned Friend himself to consider taking such an initiative.
§ Mr. LloydI agree very much with what my hon. and gallant Friend has said. I think that there is ample scope for the voluntary organisations to try to focus public attention on the matter. We shall certainly support them, both by way of funds, as we are doing, and also in any steps they may take.