§ 21. Mr. Henigasked the Minister of Overseas Development how much official aid has been sent to areas under Biafran control since June, 1967, to the latest convenient date.
§ Mr. PrenticeNone, directly. Colonel Ojukwu refuses to accept aid from Her Majesty's Government. Since June, 1967, the Government have, however, contributed £950,000 to the International Red Cross, which is providing relief on both sides of the fighting line.
§ Mr. HenigWill my right hon. Friend agree that need knows no frontiers and no Governments, and that the figure of £950,000 is pitiful in view of the great tragedy which is being enacted in that country? Will he make fresh overtures to try to establish links between this country and the Biafran Government so that further assistance can be rendered?
§ Mr. PrenticeIn reply to the first part of the question on the quantity of aid, we have played a substantial part in the effort of financing the International Red Cross. On the question of new contacts, I understand that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs will be answering a Private Notice Question at 3.30 this afternoon, and I do not want to anticipate what he might say.