HC Deb 18 July 1968 vol 768 cc1649-50
23. Mr. Goodhart

asked the Minister of Overseas Development whether, in view of the damage done to buildings in Saigon and other Vietnamese cities by recent indiscriminate rocket attacks, he will increase the amount of aid allocated to South Vietnam in 1968–69.

Mr. Prentice

In view of the damage to buildings caused since the Tet offensive in February, we have recently offered to build one or more primary schools in the devastated areas of Saigon, to an approximate cost of £200,000. This is additional to previously planned technical assistance and to the emergency aid grant of £250,000 made in February.

Mr. Goodhart

While thanking the Minister for that information on increased aid, is he aware that in May and June alone, 20,000 houses were destroyed in Saigon by rocket attacks? Does he appreciate that helping with reconstruction is a more satisfactory way of tackling the problem of suffering than throwing rocks in Grosvenor Square?

Mr. Prentice

The total provision for aid in my Ministry's Vote for 1968–69 is £600,000, which is three times as much as the disbursement in 1966–67. This is an indication that we are prepared to do more to help in these terrible circumstances.

Mr. Alan Lee Williams

Would my right hon. Friend agree that during the Tet offensive, the British medical team in Saigon did a fantastic job? Could he tell the House whether he has received any requests from the medical team for further assistance?

Mr. Prentice

I agree very much with what my hon. Friend has said about the medical team which has done a marvellous job for a long period, particularly during the Tet offensive. We have recruited extra members for the team, which now numbers 26 compared with 13 before the offensive. They are working in two refugee centres, as well as in the hospital.

Dr. John Dunwoody

May I endorse what my hon. Friend said about the British medical team? Would my right hon. Friend agree that work of this sort, catering for the needs of the Vietnamese children, is the sort of work in which the allocation of aid will be of the most use in this tragic country?

Mr. Prentice

It is helping in two ways. It is helping to deal with the immediate casualties caused by the war, and other illnesses which would occur anyway, and it is also helping to build up among the Vietnamese a potential enabling the country to deal with children's complaints.