HC Deb 07 December 1970 vol 808 cc41-3
36. Mr. Goodhart

asked the Minister for Overseas Development what plans he has to increase United Kingdom aid to South Vietnam now that the period of reconstruction is beginning.

Mr. Wood

My hon. Friend, the Under-Secretary of State, has just returned from Vietnam. I hope that his discussions with Ministers and officials in Saigon will have indicated new areas in which our aid may contribute to the economic development of the country.

Mr. Goodhart

I congratulate my right hon. Friend on his enterprise in sending his hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State to Saigon to see for himself, but will he remember that the total British aid to South Vietnam now amounts to less than 2d. per head per year? In view of the great war damage done in that country, and of the widespread concern expressed by both sides of the House, will my right hon. Friend now consider a substantial increase in aid?

Mr. Wood

Perhaps I can assure my hon. Friend by saying that the present Prime Minister when Leader of the Opposition told the House two-and-a-half years ago that we would certainly want to play an important part when the time for reconstruction came. This I hope we shall be able to do, and I look forward to hearing the ways in which we can do it from my hon. Friend.

Mrs. Hart

Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that until there is a satisfactory peace settlement in Vietnam it might be wiser for us to restrict our aid to the medical help we have so far been giving?

Mr. Wood

The right hon. Lady perhaps knows that we are going further than that now. We are already financing the construction of two primary schools in Saigon, and are looking into the possibility of setting up an English language centre. I think that both things are important.

37. Mr. Goodhart

asked the Minister for Overseas Development how long the British medical team will remain in Saigon.

Mr. Wood

Until 31st January, 1971.

Mr. Goodhart

Will my right hon. Friend remember that the British medical team has built up a great reputation for service, and that it would be a great pity if the team were to be withdrawn?

Mr. Wood

This is entirely true: the medical team has a very fine reputation indeed. The first leader of the team, Dr. Philip Evans, has been asked to go to Saigon late in January to see the best way in which we can possibly continue to provide technical assistance in the paediatric field.

Mr. Rose

Will the Minister make it very clear that this aid is given purely on a humanitarian basis, and in no way implies any acceptance of the political or military position in South Vietnam?

Mr. Wood

The medical team went out to do a job and I think that it has done it very well.