§ 23. Mr. Randallasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the value in sterling of the vegetable oil provided by Her Majesty's Government in response to the appeal of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees on behalf of the Algerian refugees in Tunisia and Morocco; what other assistance has been given by Her Majesty's Government; and what further assistance is proposed.
§ Mr. R. AllanHer Majesty's Government have contributed through the League of Red Cross Societies the sum of £12,828 which purchased 91½6 tons of edible oil c.i.f. Casablanca.
No other help has so far been given by Her Majesty's Government. A further appeal for aid to the refugees from Algeria has, however, now been received from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and is being considered.
§ Mr. RandallIn view of the generous contribution made by the voluntary organisations, such as the Oxford Committee for Famine Relief and the Inter-Church Aid and Refugee Service, together with the £50,000 that has been contributed by the World Refugee Year organisation in this country, does not the hon. Member regard the £12,800 as woefully inadequate? Will the hon. Gentleman ask his right hon. and learned Friend to reconsider this matter and to give a worthy contribution to the further appeal made by the High Commissioner for Refugees?
§ Mr. AllanWhen we last discussed this matter nearly a year ago, just after the shipment of oil, my right hon. Friend the Minister of State said:
Recently the French Government have said that they are willing to supply in future all the needs of these refugees. We must see how that offer turns out, but if the United Nations High Commissioner wishes to ask us for further help, of course we shall give it most sympathetic consideration."—[OFFICIAL REPORT, 24th June, 1959; Vol. 607, c. 1174.]He has now asked us for assistance, and, as I have said, we are giving the matter sympathetic consideration.